Bratz Jury Verdict In: MGA Wins Big and Mattel Loses Big

Bratz Jury Verdict In: MGA Wins Big and Mattel Loses Big

The Los Angeles Times is reporting that the jury sided with the maker of Bratz dolls, MGA Entertainment Inc., over Mattel in the retrial over who owns the rights to the billion-dollar franchise.

The decision came Thursday morning in federal court in Santa Ana, capping eight days of jury deliberations, nearly three months of testimony and years of corporate bickering. Dozens of spectators packed U.S. District Judge David O. Carter's courtroom for the announcement, including the chief executives of both companies.

The eight-person jury, made up of four men and four women, rejected Mattel's copyright infringement claims; said Mattel did not own the rights to the dolls, early models or accessories; and said MGA did not steal trade secrets.

Awards of monetary damages in the case were read in court much of Thursday morning, and it was clear that Mattel would owe MGA millions of dollars. On MGA's claims that Mattel stole trade secrets, for instance, the jury decided that Mattel owed its rival $88.5 million.