Bond...One Really Big Bond

In the never ending saga of the Bratz case, there is a new decision in the case. First, Mattel was able to in essence put MGA out of business until the Ninth Circuit reversed the decision for Mattel and ordered a new trial. At the new trial, MGA was successful and Mattel was order to pay hefty damages.

Now if Mattel wants to appeal to the Ninth Circuit, it will require a $315 million dollar bond. (Mattel’s damages totaled $310 million.) Mattel has until August 23, 2011 to post the bond.

Banned in the United States (and Canada)

As a follow up to the Second Circuit decision in the Salinger case, there is a reported settlement. Defendant Colting wrote an alleged sequel to the Salinger book The Catcher in the Rye. As part of the settlement, Colting's book will not be sold in the U.S. and Canada. The book will be available in other countries.
Further, Colting's book will make no references to Salinger or his book nor can the author use the copyright lawsuit to promote the book.

BARBIE BRATZ
Opening arguments are set to begin soon on a jury trial on remand regarding the Mattel (Barbie) vs. MGA (Bratz). Link to previous blog entry. There are several copyright claims remaining from the first generation of Bratz dolls and a few others; however, copyright infringement claims on many subsequent generations of Bratz dolls were thrown out by the Ninth Circuit. The trial will also include trade secret misappropriation claims stemming from MGA's hire of Carter Bryant from Mattel.