Barbie Beats Back Bratz: Federal Judge Bars MGA From Making, Selling Dolls

LOS ANGELES (AP) -- The rowdy Bratz dolls have been evicted. Barbie has regained control of the dollhouse. Toy giant Mattel Inc., after a four-year legal dispute with MGA Entertainment Inc., touted its win in the case Wednesday after a federal judge banned MGA from making and selling its pouty-lipped and hugely popular Bratz dolls. "It's a pretty sweeping victory," Mattel attorney Michael Zeller said. "They have no right to use Bratz for any goods or services at all." U.S. District Judge Stephen Larson rocked the toy industry with his order that MGA must immediately stop manufacturing Bratz. He allowed...

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Judge orders company to stop making popular Bratz dolls

LOS ANGELES — The rowdy Bratz dolls have been evicted. Barbie has regained control of the dollhouse. Toy giant Mattel Inc., after a four-year legal dispute with MGA Entertainment Inc., touted its win in the case Wednesday after a federal judge banned MGA from making and selling its pouty-lipped and hugely popular Bratz dolls.

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Sexy imagery 'harms young girls'

Sexy imagery 'harms young girls' From correspondents in Washington February 21, 2007 04:48am INESCAPABLE media images of sexed-up girls and women posing as adolescents can cause psychological and even physical harm to adolescents and young women, a study has found. The pressure of what experts call "sexualisation" can lead to depression, eating disorders, and poor academic performance, said the report, released by the American Psychological Association. "Sexualisation of girls is a broad and increasing problem and is harmful to girls," it said.

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Today's dolls too provocative, says survey of Moms

With fashion dolls decked out in knee-high boots, mini-skirts and midriff baring shirts a common sight these days, a new survey finds a majority of mothers believe many toy dolls available for young girls today are too provocative. The survey, released on Monday, said these mothers would like to see more wholesome, age-appropriate characters and role models for their daughters. The survey was commissioned by AG Properties, which owns the more conservative Strawberry Shortcake, Care Bears and Holly Hobbie properties. It had an interest in finding out the survey's results because Mattel Inc. is making a Holly Hobbie & Friends...

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Have the heirs of Barbie hit limit for risqué dolls? (Bratz ' Pussycat Dolls line cancelled)

BOSTON – On Monday the charges flew: They were called little "stripper dolls" that encourage children to "engage in eroticized play." By Wednesday, Hasbro's planned release of "The Pussycat Dolls," a line of toys based on the all-female pop group of the same name, was canceled. Hasbro, Inc., famous for such innocuous toys as My Little Pony figurines, isn't saying much. In a statement, the Rhode Island company said the older age group targeted by the recording group meant that making a doll line was "inappropriate." But for critics, the move is a major victory that could renew efforts by...

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