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Keywords

contractlawsuitappealtrialmotionsummary judgmentcopyrightcommon lawjury instructionsequitable relief
contractlawsuitappealmotionsummary judgmentcopyrightcommon lawjury instructionsequitable relief

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Mattel, Inc. v. MGA Entertainment, Inc., 782 F.Supp.2d 911

Facts

Mattel filed a lawsuit against former employee Carter Bryant for allegedly breaching his contractual and common law duties by failing to disclose his concept sketches for the Bratz dolls before leaving to work for MGA Entertainment. The case was removed to federal court, where MGA intervened, and the actions were consolidated. The jury found in favor of Mattel regarding the ownership of the Bratz line, but MGA appealed, leading to a new trial and further motions for summary judgment on various claims.

Mattel filed a lawsuit against former employee Carter Bryant for allegedly breaching his contractual and common law duties by failing to disclose his concept sketches for the Bratz dolls before leaving to work for MGA Entertainment.

Issue

The main legal issues included whether Bryant's Inventions Agreement assigned his rights to ideas conceived during his employment, whether MGA's dolls infringed on Mattel's copyrights, and whether trade dress protection applied to MGA's packaging.

The main legal issues included whether Bryant's Inventions Agreement assigned his rights to ideas conceived during his employment, whether MGA's dolls infringed on Mattel's copyrights, and whether trade dress protection applied to MGA's packaging.

Rule

The court applied principles of contract interpretation to determine the intent of the parties regarding the Inventions Agreement, as well as copyright law standards for infringement and trade dress protection under the Lanham Act.

The court applied principles of contract interpretation to determine the intent of the parties regarding the Inventions Agreement, as well as copyright law standards for infringement and trade dress protection under the Lanham Act.

Analysis

The court found that there were genuine issues of material fact regarding the interpretation of the Inventions Agreement and whether Bryant's ideas were included in the assignment. Additionally, the court analyzed the similarities between the Bratz dolls and Mattel's concept sketches, concluding that while some elements were similar, many were unoriginal and thus not protectable under copyright law. The court also addressed the trade dress claims, determining that MGA's packaging did not qualify for protection.

The court found that there were genuine issues of material fact regarding the interpretation of the Inventions Agreement and whether Bryant's ideas were included in the assignment.

Conclusion

The court granted in part and denied in part the motions for summary judgment, allowing some claims to proceed while dismissing others based on the findings of material fact and legal standards.

The court granted in part and denied in part the motions for summary judgment, allowing some claims to proceed while dismissing others based on the findings of material fact and legal standards.

Who won?

MGA Entertainment prevailed on appeal, as the Ninth Circuit vacated the earlier ruling in favor of Mattel, stating that the equitable relief was overly broad and based on erroneous jury instructions.

MGA Entertainment prevailed on appeal, as the Ninth Circuit vacated the earlier ruling in favor of Mattel, stating that the equitable relief was overly broad and based on erroneous jury instructions.

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