Toy maker MGA wants $339M more from Mattel

5/26/2011

SANTA ANA, Calif. — Toy company MGA Entertainment Inc. asked a judge Wednesday to follow up its win over arch-rival Mattel Inc. last month in a trial over who owns rights to the popular Bratz doll line by awarding MGA more than $339 million in punitive damages, attorney fees, and other costs. It said the litigation irreparably damaged the smaller company and its finances.

Jurors who heard the case in U.S. District Court awarded MGA more than $88 million after finding Mattel liable for the misappropriating trade secrets. The jury rejected Mattel’s claim that MGA stole the idea for Bratz, which the smaller firm developed into a billion-dollar franchise.

Mattel first filed suit in 2004 alleging that Bratz designer Carter Bryant was employed at Mattel when he designed the dolls. MGA attorneys argued Mattel had pursued the copyright case to crush a rival as Barbie sales declined.