Bratz Win Appeal In Mattel Lawsuit, Remain On Shelves

Oh, those Bratz!

Barbie’s slutty brethren were granted a reprieve yesterday by the US Court of Appeals and will remain on store shelves in 2010.

MGA Entertainment, maker of the Bratz dolls, lost a 2008 court case ordering the company to stop selling the dolls and hand over the copyright to Mattel. The decision also awarded $100 million to Mattel.

Mattel filed the original suit, claiming that the Bratz dolls were created by designer Carter Bryant while he was still under Mattel’s employ.

The US appeals court in suspending the order is questioning the earlier court's ruling, calling the awarding of Bratz ownership to Mattel “draconian.” The judges are looking into Mattel’s labor contracts and have requested that the two sides come to a settlement out of court.

Bratz reached their peak in 2005, generating $750 million in revenue for MGA Entertainment and have been a considerable thorn in Barbie’s side. Bratz are popular with younger generations, garnering more support and adoration -- much to their parent’s dismay -- than Barbie.

A settlement may provide Bratz with a lifeline and autonomy, but may cost the company a share of their profits in royalties paid to Mattel.