Bratz

May 26 2011

"How-to-Steal" manual

SANTA ANA, Calif.—MGA Entertainment is seeking $440 million in attorneys' fees and damages from Mattel as a result of a federal jury's finding that MGA owns the rights to the Bratz doll line, the founder and head of the company stated.

The amount MGA was seeking had been sealed in court documents, but MGA Chief Executive Officer Isaac Larian confirmed the $440 million figure while talking to reporters about the case during a break in a daylong hearing on damages and Mattel's motion for a new trial.

Apr 21 2011

MGA Entertainment awarded $88.4 million in damages

SANTA ANA, Calif.—A startup company scored a decisive blow against El Segundo-based toy giant Mattel today with a federal court jury deciding that MGA Entertainment—not Mattel—owns the rights to the popular Bratz doll line.

The jury—in a verdict reached Wednesday and read this morning—found that MGA did not steal any secrets, that Mattel does not own the idea for the Bratz doll and that it is owed no damages.

Jan 20 2011

Bratz was created at Mattel

SANTA ANA, Calif.—El Segundo-based toy giant Mattel is going after the Bratz doll franchise in an Orange County courtroom, trying to win back money on a product it claims was stolen from them.

“We will prove to you that Bratz dolls were created in Mattel’s design center,” Mattel attorney John Quinn said in opening statements in a federal courtroom in Santa Ana. “We will prove Bratz was created at Mattel and stolen by MGA (Entertainment Inc.).”

Across Black America

Here’s a look at African American people and issues making headlines throughout the country.
 

Alabama
Freeman A. Hrabowski, president of the University of Maryland, Baltimore County, will address the annual African American Business Council luncheon on June 28. Hrabowski, who is chairman of President Barack Obama’s Advisory Commission on Education Excellence for African Americans, has a national reputation for his work studying the performance of minority students in math and science. Hrabowski, named one of the 10 best college presidents in the country by Time magazine, was a child leader in the Civil Rights Movement in Birmingham in the 1960s.
 

Arkansas
The Liberty Counsel filed a motion and a brief in United States District Court for the Eastern District of Arkansas seeking to intervene on behalf of a Concepts of Life crisis pregnancy center to defend against a suit filed by the American Civil Liberties Union and the Center for Reproductive Rights. The groups seek to impose a permanent injunction before the Human Heartbeat Protection Act goes into effect July 18. Liberty Counsel also filed a brief opposing the ACLU’s request for an injunction. The “Heartbeat” bill states that when a woman seeks an abortion at or after the 12th week, doctors must test for a fetal heartbeat before an abortion is performed and inform the pregnant mother that the child in her womb has a heartbeat. If a heartbeat is detected, a woman cannot have an abortion, except in cases of rape, incest, and if a mother’s life is in danger. “As we promised when the legislation was introduced, Liberty Counsel will defend this law without reservation for the people of Arkansas, born and pre-born,” said Matt Staver, founder and chairman of Liberty Counsel. “No right is more foundational than the right to life. Without life, all other rights are irrelevant,” concluded Staver.