The Mattel Corporation (manufacturer of Barbie and Hot Wheels) was recently victorious in the High Court of Justice in London. Mattel’s claim of copyright infringement against Simba Toys and the “My Style” doll line was determined to be valid. The line was a copy of Mattel’s “My Scene” dolls.
Mattel has maintained the highest standards of individuality over its lifetime and sees this as not only copyright but as a mark against their originality. The toy business is not one to be dismissed as small potatoes. Mattel alone is a conglomerate that employs more than 25,000 people in 36 countries and sells products in more than 150 nations throughout the world.
This is the first time ever that a European court has made a Union-wide order based on community design. Mattel was please with the verdict on multiple levels, the biggest being that because it was based on Community Design rights, the decision applies across the whole European Union.
Matt Bousquette, President of Mattel Brands, said, "The toy industry's long term health is driven by new breakframe products and ideas. It is important that these efforts are protected for all companies, ensuring a continued investment in innovation is made throughout the toy industry, maximizing consumers' choices for great, fun toys."
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