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You Don't Own Me: The Court Battles That Exposed Barbie's Dark Side
The battle between Mattel, the makers of the iconic Barbie doll, and MGA, the company that created the Bratz dolls, was not just a war over best-selling toys, but a war over who owns ideas.
304 pages, Paperback
Published April 23, 2019
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822 people want to read
About the author
Orly Lobel
8 books22 followersOrly Lobel is the Don Weckstein Professor of Law at the University of San Diego and received her doctoral and law degrees from Harvard University. When a child, she starred in her psychologist mother’s studies on playing with Barbies. The award-winning author of Talent Wants to Be Free, she lives in La Jolla, California.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 61 reviews
September 1, 2018
I noticed that many people gave this book glowing reviews. I'm afraid I can't.
The book promised a lot but simply did not follow through.
I thought I was going to get a step by step account of how one man who worked for Mattel developed his own ideas for a doll, different from Barbie, then sold his idea to a competing toy company, and the ensuing lawsuit.
Instead, the author wanders all over the place, backing up with history of Lille, the original Barbie, which was actually a sex toy for post-war German men.
Then we learn about the history of Mattel and its founders, the founders of MGA the company that sold the Bratz dolls, and a smidgeon of Carter Bryant, the man who came up with the idea for Bratz.
We get quite a bit of Orly Lobel's opinion. She clearly hates Mattel. They are the big bad wolf in this story, and maybe deservedly so, but I can't say I feel sorry for anyone else, either.
Carter Bryant did develop Bratz and sell it to a competing company while he was still working at Mattel. He even paid other Mattel workers to help, including poor Mexican workers who later got fired for breaking their contract. Bryant is portrayed as the sacrificial lamb whose life is ruined at the hands of Mattel. Maybe, but a more even account would have listed possible alternate routes Bryant might have had recourse to.
I do agree that laws need to be changed about patents. Many brilliant professional designers and engineers have invented and developed incredible things and not made a cent because they were on salary. The company they worked for automatically owns the patent and makes billions. The people who actually did the thinking and making should at least get a royalty. It seems to me that would encourage greater creativity.
Much of the book is devoted to "exposing" just how big and bad a wolf Mattel is. We learn that Barbie is losing sales and Mattel doesn't seem to have the brains to change the trend by expanding or innovating. Instead they use "predator litigation".
When the band, Aqua, recorded the song, "Barbie Girl", Mattel sued them for copyright infringement. The court ruled in the band's favor because it is legal to parody a famous brand (or person or anything) in a song or any medium as long as you're not trying to sell the brand as your own.
Interestingly, it is not legal to satire a brand name, Lobel explains the difference at length and, frankly, the delineation was lost on me. Not that she didn't try, she took up several pages, repeating herself as she wrote on the two sides to the, in my opinion, same coin.
Especially since there were a couple of artists who made obscene art using Barbie. One made photos of Barbie naked and covered in meat, placed in lurid positions. Another created a "Dungeon Dominatrix" Barbie; but somehow these sleazeballs' right to expression of free speech trumped Mattel not wanting their children's doll to be used in perverted ways. Lobel, writes with glee how these "underdogs" won over the horrible Big Boss of toy merchandise.
Right. As if the law suit didn't help these previous nonentities sell their product through notoriety and publicity.
I would have appreciated the book more if the author could have left her slanted opinion out of it.
A lot of what she said was silly. She constantly referred to Barbie as the "Ice Queen". She expounds on how children were tired of Barbie and wanted something they could identify with. They wanted more ethnic diversity, something that spoke to where they were at in life.
Really? Teenagers aren't playing with dolls, little girls are. I doubt if children under the age of ten possess that kind of discernment. And as far as being tired of Barbie, how could they be when every ten years there's a whole new crop of young children who are being introduced to her?
I won't say the book is without merit. I learned a few things about our legal system and copyright infringement. But I just can't stand reading such an obviously biased account. And she took so long to get to the actual court case. She must have had a contract that stipulated how many chapters she had to have so she generously puffed her page numbers with barely related material.
If you want a really riveting account, well written about a tyrant using and abusing her company and employees, I recommend Bad Blood, the account of the rise and fall of Elizabeth Holmes and her bogus blood testing device.
The book promised a lot but simply did not follow through.
I thought I was going to get a step by step account of how one man who worked for Mattel developed his own ideas for a doll, different from Barbie, then sold his idea to a competing toy company, and the ensuing lawsuit.
Instead, the author wanders all over the place, backing up with history of Lille, the original Barbie, which was actually a sex toy for post-war German men.
Then we learn about the history of Mattel and its founders, the founders of MGA the company that sold the Bratz dolls, and a smidgeon of Carter Bryant, the man who came up with the idea for Bratz.
We get quite a bit of Orly Lobel's opinion. She clearly hates Mattel. They are the big bad wolf in this story, and maybe deservedly so, but I can't say I feel sorry for anyone else, either.
Carter Bryant did develop Bratz and sell it to a competing company while he was still working at Mattel. He even paid other Mattel workers to help, including poor Mexican workers who later got fired for breaking their contract. Bryant is portrayed as the sacrificial lamb whose life is ruined at the hands of Mattel. Maybe, but a more even account would have listed possible alternate routes Bryant might have had recourse to.
I do agree that laws need to be changed about patents. Many brilliant professional designers and engineers have invented and developed incredible things and not made a cent because they were on salary. The company they worked for automatically owns the patent and makes billions. The people who actually did the thinking and making should at least get a royalty. It seems to me that would encourage greater creativity.
Much of the book is devoted to "exposing" just how big and bad a wolf Mattel is. We learn that Barbie is losing sales and Mattel doesn't seem to have the brains to change the trend by expanding or innovating. Instead they use "predator litigation".
When the band, Aqua, recorded the song, "Barbie Girl", Mattel sued them for copyright infringement. The court ruled in the band's favor because it is legal to parody a famous brand (or person or anything) in a song or any medium as long as you're not trying to sell the brand as your own.
Interestingly, it is not legal to satire a brand name, Lobel explains the difference at length and, frankly, the delineation was lost on me. Not that she didn't try, she took up several pages, repeating herself as she wrote on the two sides to the, in my opinion, same coin.
Especially since there were a couple of artists who made obscene art using Barbie. One made photos of Barbie naked and covered in meat, placed in lurid positions. Another created a "Dungeon Dominatrix" Barbie; but somehow these sleazeballs' right to expression of free speech trumped Mattel not wanting their children's doll to be used in perverted ways. Lobel, writes with glee how these "underdogs" won over the horrible Big Boss of toy merchandise.
Right. As if the law suit didn't help these previous nonentities sell their product through notoriety and publicity.
I would have appreciated the book more if the author could have left her slanted opinion out of it.
A lot of what she said was silly. She constantly referred to Barbie as the "Ice Queen". She expounds on how children were tired of Barbie and wanted something they could identify with. They wanted more ethnic diversity, something that spoke to where they were at in life.
Really? Teenagers aren't playing with dolls, little girls are. I doubt if children under the age of ten possess that kind of discernment. And as far as being tired of Barbie, how could they be when every ten years there's a whole new crop of young children who are being introduced to her?
I won't say the book is without merit. I learned a few things about our legal system and copyright infringement. But I just can't stand reading such an obviously biased account. And she took so long to get to the actual court case. She must have had a contract that stipulated how many chapters she had to have so she generously puffed her page numbers with barely related material.
If you want a really riveting account, well written about a tyrant using and abusing her company and employees, I recommend Bad Blood, the account of the rise and fall of Elizabeth Holmes and her bogus blood testing device.
June 28, 2018
I read this because I knew the author and was blown away by how much I loved it. It's so many different books and stories in one: It's about intellectual property law, about creativity, about girls playing with dolls, a history of Barbi and just a page-turning account of a drama.
It's a fascinating read.
(I wonder if author would amend the portion in here about Judge Kaczinski who she describes as colorful here, but who has been since accused of sexual harassment. That part was fascinating too)
It's a fascinating read.
(I wonder if author would amend the portion in here about Judge Kaczinski who she describes as colorful here, but who has been since accused of sexual harassment. That part was fascinating too)
December 21, 2017
In 1998, Carter Bryant, a doll designer on leave from Mattel, was working in a mall in Kimberling City, Missouri. One day, on the way to his parents home, he saw a group of teenage girls walking together. Bryant was struck by their confidence and fashion sense.
Inspired by the girls, he began making sketches for a new line of dolls. Dolls that looked nothing like the Barbies he had worked on back at Mattel.
Two years later, Bryant sold his idea to MGA, a small company known primarily for distributing video games. Five years later, Bratz had become the biggest-selling doll line on Earth carving out 40 percent of market share that used to belong to Mattel. When executives at Mattel discovered that Bryant had originated the idea of Bratz, they launched a lawsuit against MGA claiming that they owned the rights to their biggest rival.
After a lengthy trial, Mattel won, the judge ordering MGA to cease manufacturing Bratz. But, an appeals court judge vacated the verdict and ordered a new trial. After which, MGA emerged victorious.
The story of this legal battle is told in Orly Lobel’s new book, You Don’t Own Me. Before your eyes glaze over with the thought of reading a book on contract law, you should know that the Mattel vs. MGA battle is fascinating, even for those who don’t know a Barbie from a Skipper.
To say that the personalities involved in this book are colorful is an understatement. First, there is Carter Bryant, a starry-eyed dreamer, temperamentally unsuited for the cutthroat corporate world. Bryant would wind up a broken man, unemployable and penniless.
Next, Ruth Handler, who co-founded Mattel and got the inspiration for Barbie from a pornographic doll she encountered in Switzerland. Handler, who named Barbie and Ken after her children was eventually ousted from her own company after being convicted of securities fraud.
Isaac Larian, an Iranian immigrant, co-founded MGA with his brother. He then bought out his brother just before introducing the Bratz line, thus depriving his brother of billions. As a result, Larian faced a lawsuit from his own brother at the same time he was trying to fend of Mattel.
Robert Eckert, the Mattel CEO ran the toy company with the same ridged hand that he used as head of Kraft Foods. During the second trial, Eckert had trouble telling his own dolls from those of MGA. Tired of being stuck in traffic during the commute to the trial, he tried unsuccessfully, to convince the county to let him land his corporate helicopter near the courthouse.
And I must mention, Romanian immigrant, Alex Kozinsky, the appeals court judge who overturned the original verdict. Kozinsky’s obsession with movies led him to hold monthly film parties at the Pasadena courthouse. It is Kozinsky’s opinion of the effects of intellectual property law that the author is most in sympathy with.
This is a story in which everyone loses. Mattel lost the case and their reputation took a major hit when evidence emerged during the second trial of Mattel’s widespread use of illegal industrial espionage. MGA won the case, but the huge legal expenses they ran up crippled the company and sales of Bratz began a steady decline. Mattell CEO Eckert was soon forced out of the company.
But by far, the biggest loser was Carter Bryant. His lover blew through all of Bryant’s money, then left him. The controversy over the lawsuit left other toy companies reluctant to hire him and the stress caused by testifying for days appeared to sap his creativity.
Lobel concludes her book with a plea for the legal system to loosen up interpretation of intellectual property rights. She believes that large corporations are using intellectual property and copyright law not to protect their assets, but to stifle potential competition. In her view, Mattel became fossilized and unable to adapt to changes in consumer's taste. They relied on legal threats and intimidation rater than innovation to hold on to their market share.
You Don’t Own Me is recommended for those interested in copyright and intellectual property issues. But it also provides a look inside the often merciless world of toy manufactures. And it will appeal to anyone who enjoys a good yarn with over-the-top characters.
Inspired by the girls, he began making sketches for a new line of dolls. Dolls that looked nothing like the Barbies he had worked on back at Mattel.
Two years later, Bryant sold his idea to MGA, a small company known primarily for distributing video games. Five years later, Bratz had become the biggest-selling doll line on Earth carving out 40 percent of market share that used to belong to Mattel. When executives at Mattel discovered that Bryant had originated the idea of Bratz, they launched a lawsuit against MGA claiming that they owned the rights to their biggest rival.
After a lengthy trial, Mattel won, the judge ordering MGA to cease manufacturing Bratz. But, an appeals court judge vacated the verdict and ordered a new trial. After which, MGA emerged victorious.
The story of this legal battle is told in Orly Lobel’s new book, You Don’t Own Me. Before your eyes glaze over with the thought of reading a book on contract law, you should know that the Mattel vs. MGA battle is fascinating, even for those who don’t know a Barbie from a Skipper.
To say that the personalities involved in this book are colorful is an understatement. First, there is Carter Bryant, a starry-eyed dreamer, temperamentally unsuited for the cutthroat corporate world. Bryant would wind up a broken man, unemployable and penniless.
Next, Ruth Handler, who co-founded Mattel and got the inspiration for Barbie from a pornographic doll she encountered in Switzerland. Handler, who named Barbie and Ken after her children was eventually ousted from her own company after being convicted of securities fraud.
Isaac Larian, an Iranian immigrant, co-founded MGA with his brother. He then bought out his brother just before introducing the Bratz line, thus depriving his brother of billions. As a result, Larian faced a lawsuit from his own brother at the same time he was trying to fend of Mattel.
Robert Eckert, the Mattel CEO ran the toy company with the same ridged hand that he used as head of Kraft Foods. During the second trial, Eckert had trouble telling his own dolls from those of MGA. Tired of being stuck in traffic during the commute to the trial, he tried unsuccessfully, to convince the county to let him land his corporate helicopter near the courthouse.
And I must mention, Romanian immigrant, Alex Kozinsky, the appeals court judge who overturned the original verdict. Kozinsky’s obsession with movies led him to hold monthly film parties at the Pasadena courthouse. It is Kozinsky’s opinion of the effects of intellectual property law that the author is most in sympathy with.
This is a story in which everyone loses. Mattel lost the case and their reputation took a major hit when evidence emerged during the second trial of Mattel’s widespread use of illegal industrial espionage. MGA won the case, but the huge legal expenses they ran up crippled the company and sales of Bratz began a steady decline. Mattell CEO Eckert was soon forced out of the company.
But by far, the biggest loser was Carter Bryant. His lover blew through all of Bryant’s money, then left him. The controversy over the lawsuit left other toy companies reluctant to hire him and the stress caused by testifying for days appeared to sap his creativity.
Lobel concludes her book with a plea for the legal system to loosen up interpretation of intellectual property rights. She believes that large corporations are using intellectual property and copyright law not to protect their assets, but to stifle potential competition. In her view, Mattel became fossilized and unable to adapt to changes in consumer's taste. They relied on legal threats and intimidation rater than innovation to hold on to their market share.
You Don’t Own Me is recommended for those interested in copyright and intellectual property issues. But it also provides a look inside the often merciless world of toy manufactures. And it will appeal to anyone who enjoys a good yarn with over-the-top characters.
May 17, 2023
Frankly, I am torn between giving this book 3 or 4 stars. On the one hand, I thought that the author did an amazing job at explaining the legal aspects of the court battles between Mattel and MGA. All the important terms were well defined and illustrated, and I learned a whole lot about copyright and trademark laws. On top of that, it was really interesting to catch a “behind the scenes” glimpse of the Barbie vs Bratz conflict, and I am glad to say that I now feel very knowledgeable about it, which at the end of the day, is the reason why I wanted to read this book in the first place.
On the other hand however, I was disappointed by Lobel’s attitude regarding the parties discussed. It gave the impression that she was heavily biased towards MGA – which, fair enough – but it did make me question her journalistic integrity. Whenever Barbie dolls were mentioned, Lobel suddenly turned into a deeply conservative lady clutching at her pearls at the sheer thought of a doll wearing *GASP* a short skirt??! “But what about Bratz?” you may ask. Well, they’re just sassy and trendy of course! In the “Bratz vs Barbie debate”, I too am team Bratz, but it still felt wrong to see the Barbie brand be insulted over and over again, many times unjustifiably so, especially when Bratz dolls were being so heavily praised for doing about the same thing, if not to a greater extent.
Another point of contention for me was the fact that on more than one instance, Lobel made mistakes regarding the Barbie (surprise surprise) controversies she covered. Not to brag, but I know quite a bit about our friend Barbara M. Roberts, and as such, I know exactly what articles Lobel read in order to write some passages of her book. Fortunately (or unfortunately), that also means I am aware that some of these articles are less than reliable. It was disappointing to see these articles be used to paint Mattel in a bad light, especially given the fact that such this book was supposed to be an unbiased look at the two toy giants.
Overall, I did rather enjoy You Don’t Own Me and truly did find it fascinating and informative, yet cannot overlook its blaring hatred towards Barbie and Mattel.
On the other hand however, I was disappointed by Lobel’s attitude regarding the parties discussed. It gave the impression that she was heavily biased towards MGA – which, fair enough – but it did make me question her journalistic integrity. Whenever Barbie dolls were mentioned, Lobel suddenly turned into a deeply conservative lady clutching at her pearls at the sheer thought of a doll wearing *GASP* a short skirt??! “But what about Bratz?” you may ask. Well, they’re just sassy and trendy of course! In the “Bratz vs Barbie debate”, I too am team Bratz, but it still felt wrong to see the Barbie brand be insulted over and over again, many times unjustifiably so, especially when Bratz dolls were being so heavily praised for doing about the same thing, if not to a greater extent.
Another point of contention for me was the fact that on more than one instance, Lobel made mistakes regarding the Barbie (surprise surprise) controversies she covered. Not to brag, but I know quite a bit about our friend Barbara M. Roberts, and as such, I know exactly what articles Lobel read in order to write some passages of her book. Fortunately (or unfortunately), that also means I am aware that some of these articles are less than reliable. It was disappointing to see these articles be used to paint Mattel in a bad light, especially given the fact that such this book was supposed to be an unbiased look at the two toy giants.
Overall, I did rather enjoy You Don’t Own Me and truly did find it fascinating and informative, yet cannot overlook its blaring hatred towards Barbie and Mattel.
January 24, 2018
This great read recounts how Mattel’s Barbie doll was “discovered” in Germany by Mattel’s founders and then exploited to maximum profitability. Along the way, Mattel conducts scorched-earth litigation campaigns against any person or entity that would dare compete with a doll concept they first misappropriated (but of which Mattel later secured ownership.) Enter a gifted, yet marginalized, Mattel employee that first envisioned an edgier doll, eventually known as Bratz, and an equally tough competitor, cum litigation embracing competitor, MGA Entertainment. Once MGA’s Bratz started to outsell Barbie, Mattel unleashed its litigation crusade upon MGA. The first jury trial yielded an approximate $100 million judgment in favor of Mattel in addition to a constructive trust over the MGA Bratz business. This judgment was reversed by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit. The second trial resulted in a $300 million judgment for MGA, largely attributable to Mattel’s extensive corporate espionage and an extra large helping of arrogance exhibited at the second trial. The Ninth Circuit would eventually reverse the damages attributable to Mattel’s espionage. At the time of the book’s publication, MGA’s claims relating to Mattel’s espionage were continuing. All in all, the author, a law professor, takes the reader through Barbie’s humble roots to supermodel/role model to the avatar of a marauding, if not vexatious, litigant. Mattel’s founders are quite colorful, as is MGA’s co-founder and CEO. The underbellies of very successful companies are laid bare. With10 uber-stressful years of litigation behind them, the fight continues.
As a litigator who has tangled with an aggressive toy company and, separately, in scorched-earth trade secret litigation, I felt the pain and stress of this case. Read this book if you have any interest in B2B litigation.
As a litigator who has tangled with an aggressive toy company and, separately, in scorched-earth trade secret litigation, I felt the pain and stress of this case. Read this book if you have any interest in B2B litigation.
January 23, 2018
The weaving together of themes, industries and legal analysis makes the book a very satisfying look at culture and trends in America! The characters come to life and I feel I know them.
Orly wrote an implied prediction of what would happen to Kosinski in her book. It came true very quickly. So, among its numerous great qualities, the book has predictive ability in a number of areas. It is a landmark book!
Orly wrote an implied prediction of what would happen to Kosinski in her book. It came true very quickly. So, among its numerous great qualities, the book has predictive ability in a number of areas. It is a landmark book!
September 6, 2024
3.5 (rounded down 4 Goodreads)
This is somehow enjoyable. Lobel managed to write about court battles, intellectual property, and copyright in a way that was witty, funny, and entertaining. I mean that is a real feat. I was sat Lobel, I was sat.
I think maybe Lobel took it too seriously when Emily Dickinson said "Tell all the truth but tell it slant". Lobel bias is very blatant. Lobel does fail to remain impassive in sharing this information. The praise surrounding MGA, regardless of their position as a large-scale company and full lack of meaningful criticism about the brand or Bratz stuck out like a sore thumb in consideration of how it was piled on with Barbie (chapters dedicated to how bad Barbie is). Barbie is worthy of a lot of criticism, and it's deserved, but it would have been nice had Lobel engaged in criticism of Bratz as well. Barbie is slammed on certain aspects (such as her dress and small figure), and Bratz is guilty of the same; it goes conveniently unmentioned.
Lobel paints a very biased picture of the hero and villain. I would have enjoyed Lobel taking a more impassive stance and telling the cold, hard facts to paint the picture.
If you're gonna write a book about Barbie, know your facts are straight. Barbie and Midge are indeed not cousins, and Barbie and Ken never canonically married, and never will (because Barbie wouldn't be as blank of a slate for a girl to project herself onto). Of course, these are minor details, and overall, Lobel seemed more educated and focused on the legal side, and a little tidbit like that, I suppose, did not get fact-checked (yikes). This makes me question the integrity of Lobel's work (further than her blatant bias). I mean, this feels like a hate letter to Barbie.
I do think this book highlights and brings a lot of good conversation points about copyright, intellectual property, and creative freedom to the forefront. I enjoyed these conversations and do think I took a greater message from them (even if I do oppose capitalism as a whole).
This is somehow enjoyable. Lobel managed to write about court battles, intellectual property, and copyright in a way that was witty, funny, and entertaining. I mean that is a real feat. I was sat Lobel, I was sat.
I think maybe Lobel took it too seriously when Emily Dickinson said "Tell all the truth but tell it slant". Lobel bias is very blatant. Lobel does fail to remain impassive in sharing this information. The praise surrounding MGA, regardless of their position as a large-scale company and full lack of meaningful criticism about the brand or Bratz stuck out like a sore thumb in consideration of how it was piled on with Barbie (chapters dedicated to how bad Barbie is). Barbie is worthy of a lot of criticism, and it's deserved, but it would have been nice had Lobel engaged in criticism of Bratz as well. Barbie is slammed on certain aspects (such as her dress and small figure), and Bratz is guilty of the same; it goes conveniently unmentioned.
Lobel paints a very biased picture of the hero and villain. I would have enjoyed Lobel taking a more impassive stance and telling the cold, hard facts to paint the picture.
If you're gonna write a book about Barbie, know your facts are straight. Barbie and Midge are indeed not cousins, and Barbie and Ken never canonically married, and never will (because Barbie wouldn't be as blank of a slate for a girl to project herself onto). Of course, these are minor details, and overall, Lobel seemed more educated and focused on the legal side, and a little tidbit like that, I suppose, did not get fact-checked (yikes). This makes me question the integrity of Lobel's work (further than her blatant bias). I mean, this feels like a hate letter to Barbie.
I do think this book highlights and brings a lot of good conversation points about copyright, intellectual property, and creative freedom to the forefront. I enjoyed these conversations and do think I took a greater message from them (even if I do oppose capitalism as a whole).
January 26, 2018
I read the book after reading good reviews.
The book is very well written. I am educated in business administration and have some knowledge in intellectual property rights (German Law), but this book really enhanced my knowledge (also regarding the situation in the USAA) and I was able to understanding 80 - 90 % of everything that was explained.
I can highly recommand this book!
If anybody can recommand a similar book I would love to know!
The book is very well written. I am educated in business administration and have some knowledge in intellectual property rights (German Law), but this book really enhanced my knowledge (also regarding the situation in the USAA) and I was able to understanding 80 - 90 % of everything that was explained.
I can highly recommand this book!
If anybody can recommand a similar book I would love to know!
January 1, 2018
Informative and captivating, this book describes the Barbie vs. Bratz (Mattel v. MGA) decade-long lawsuit and its participants. The book is well-researched, well-written, and has all the twists and turns of a spy thriller or a courtroom drama. I was totally absorbed in it even though I knew the end result of the lawsuit. Highly recommend!
November 27, 2023
This book is particularly timely after the recent box office success and revitalization of the Barbie brand. I was hoping for more of a litigation blow by blow on the convoluted MGA-Mattel saga, but this book doesn’t spend as much time on that as it does the history of Barbie. If you’re interested in how Barbie came to be; who owns ideas like a Barbie doll or Bratz clothing; and the impact that IP ownership has on innovation and competition, it’s worth a read.
February 22, 2025
Ugh...clearly the author was biased against Mattel from page 1. My girls had both Barbie and Bratz dolls growing up and were traumatized by neither, unlike me who was forced to read this book. The book had no clear point other than the authors dislike of Barbie herself and the authors obsession with pornography. Don't bother to waste your time reading it, I did it for you.
October 7, 2023
At first, I was hesitant and didn't like Lobel's writing. But she did blossom as the narration went deeper into the legal ground. I don't know and don't care too much about the world of law, but she made it very exciting to read, which IMHO shows true talent.
I enjoyed the many unknown details about Mattel vs MGA and just two companies overall. I like that Lobel, although choosing a side (don't get me wrong, rightfully so), always gave different opinions and testimonies.
It is a well-written, extremely well-researched non-fiction piece for anyone interested in creativity, copyright, dolls, and the toy industry. One of my favorite reads this year.
I enjoyed the many unknown details about Mattel vs MGA and just two companies overall. I like that Lobel, although choosing a side (don't get me wrong, rightfully so), always gave different opinions and testimonies.
It is a well-written, extremely well-researched non-fiction piece for anyone interested in creativity, copyright, dolls, and the toy industry. One of my favorite reads this year.
March 22, 2018
Enjoyable, fast-paced, witty, like going to law school without the pain of going to law school
June 6, 2018
You don’t own me: how Mattel v. MGA Entertainment exposed Barbie’s dark side by law professor Orly Lobel is a wonderful read! Her research is rich and varied and the writing style while brisk never scrimps on any of the steps in the long (oh, so long) battle between Barbie and the Bratz. For a law geek and true crime fan like me this excellent work was like candy! In the process of telling a great story Lobel takes full advantage of the opportunity to speculate on the sad state of intellectual property law in the 21st century. She really understands – and successfully conveys to her readers - the struggles of innovators and of industry to respond to the many practical changes in technology, production and consumer expectations. At the same time she never fails to call out both Mattel and, to a lesser extent, MGA on their shortcomings.
This book is about the case and it is fascinating but it is also about what is wrong with IP and that she covers exceptionally well. She writes:
“Intellectual property is the workhorse of twenty-first century markets. Legal protections for knowledge and creativity were originally developed to add, as [President] Lincoln hoped, the fuel of interest to the fire of genius. But intellectual property protection has far expanded beyond its original goals. Today, every company that reaches the top is tempted to use the law in ways that block competition. Creative ventures, too often and too quickly, lock themselves in vexatious legal battles that assure nothing but their mutual destruction.”
August 13, 2022
This book was interesting and a fun read. However, as a doll collector who happens to know a little bit about fashion doll history, I didn't appreciate some of the obvious factual inaccuracies. For example, implying that Bild Lilli was a sex worker. Uhhh, no? She was a sexy comic strip character and yes initially her dolls were marketed to adults, but she was never portrayed as a sex worker or a sex toy. Very strange for the author to imply this and it feels like it was done just so one of her chapters could have a click-baity title, which is kind of strange considering this is a book, not a blog site. Another thing was stating that My Scene was a flop. Initially, My Scene likely did not make the sales numbers that Mattel had hoped for, but the line ran from 2002 to 2008. Six years is actually quite long for a doll line, and certainly wouldn't have run that long if it was considered a "flop." There also seemed to be some contradictions in the timeline of the book. Because of these inaccuracies, I found myself taking the rest of the book with a grain of salt. Overall, I enjoyed reading it, but just know that its not the most factually accurate book. I do think this story would make a really interesting movie or miniseries.
September 6, 2020
B-E-A-U-T-I-F-U-L.
I stumbled upon this beauty because of my IP class on Development. Lobel has wit, humour and one's gotta love her pop culture references.
The book dwells quite a bit on the history of the dolls. Definitely Barbie is the big bad wolf in her eyes, however the writer does mention that Bratz are no saints either: she just points at the obvious assymetry in power, continuously comparing the two giants with David and Goliath (and also admitting that Bratz/MGA is not really a David, it's just that against Barbie/Mattel they inevitably look like such). That said, Barbie does seem to be a mayor B. I mean, suing Aqua because of the Barbie song?? The title is, therefore, perfect: You Don't Own Me... and that it could be applied to more litigation than just the Barbie v. Bratz feud.
It was rather interesting the part regarding corporate espionage and it's unbelievable how all these giant corporations play with the market... and nothing happens to them. Everybody just gets paid off or just they understand that it's career suicide go against them.
I definitely would have liked more of the legal comment BUT the book doesn't pretend to be academic nor it's aimed at lawyers.
I stumbled upon this beauty because of my IP class on Development. Lobel has wit, humour and one's gotta love her pop culture references.
The book dwells quite a bit on the history of the dolls. Definitely Barbie is the big bad wolf in her eyes, however the writer does mention that Bratz are no saints either: she just points at the obvious assymetry in power, continuously comparing the two giants with David and Goliath (and also admitting that Bratz/MGA is not really a David, it's just that against Barbie/Mattel they inevitably look like such). That said, Barbie does seem to be a mayor B. I mean, suing Aqua because of the Barbie song?? The title is, therefore, perfect: You Don't Own Me... and that it could be applied to more litigation than just the Barbie v. Bratz feud.
It was rather interesting the part regarding corporate espionage and it's unbelievable how all these giant corporations play with the market... and nothing happens to them. Everybody just gets paid off or just they understand that it's career suicide go against them.
I definitely would have liked more of the legal comment BUT the book doesn't pretend to be academic nor it's aimed at lawyers.
February 28, 2024
This book contains a lot of really interesting history and provides an in-depth look into the world of dolls. That said, the author uses a lot of sensationalized language to convey these pieces that often dampens their message. There’s only so many ways and times someone can “shockingly” mention that one of Barbie’s influences was sexual in nature before it gets tiresome to read. The book is its strongest when it is talking about law, marketing, and corporate antics. Next time, I’d prefer the author leave the sections of pearl clutching and calling MyScene dolls ugly at home.
June 2, 2018
A great read if you are interested in intellectual property. The language is very simple and the author simply educates the reader about basic concepts of IP. So don't worry if you are not a lawyer.
The book focuses on a very interesting lawsuit that dates back to Mattel's philosophy of Barbie and reveals how Bratz caused a lot of trouble for the dominant toy company. It is very impressive to see how the dolls we grew up playing with led to one of the biggest copyright cases of history.
The book focuses on a very interesting lawsuit that dates back to Mattel's philosophy of Barbie and reveals how Bratz caused a lot of trouble for the dominant toy company. It is very impressive to see how the dolls we grew up playing with led to one of the biggest copyright cases of history.
September 3, 2023
Far too opinion-based.
July 22, 2025
Every adult should read this book.
Inspiring and lucid from the start, You Don’t Own Me is a saga for the ages, comprised of dozens of factually essential stories and anecdotes—always captivating and often very funny—seamlessly woven together to tell a critically important story. Try to clear an afternoon for this one. I couldn’t put it down and finished it in a day.
Without divulging any spoilers, I’ll say that Lobel immerses us in a David and Goliath story, beginning with an artist’s journey to manifest his vision and break free from the oppressive, corporate forces that sought to box him in. But that’s just the beginning. The twists, turns, and jaw-dropping character studies deftly draw you into the unfolding narrative.
Perhaps the most interesting character study is Barbie herself. I had little to no prior Barbie knowledge, and guess what, I’m still not interested in Barbie. But after this book, it is impossible not to appreciate how the still-unparalleled Barbie zeitgeist has so deeply intertwined itself—body and soul—into nearly every dimension of the human experience.
Two heavily paraphrased “quotes” chosen out of innumerable gems:
» Nobel laureate Kenneth Arrow explains that once a company receives near-monopoly status, it has far fewer incentives to undertake the risk of improving. This is because innovation would only lead the monopolist to replace its own market share. In contrast, an upstart competitor stands to gain far more from innovation.
» Barbie is perfectly paradoxical: she is every woman, yet she is no woman. She is unchangeable yet endlessly mutable.
The text is further elevated by tastefully interspersed aphorisms from a host of great thinkers. From Aristotle to Anna Akhmatova, Jung, Anaïs Nin, Warhol, John Cage, Confucius, Dumbledore, Oscar Wilde, and of course, Weird Al Yankovic.
Speaking of parody, a significant portion of the text provides a crash course on intellectual property law. Lobel effortlessly demystifies notoriously confounding IP doctrine so that anyone can grasp the concepts and follow along like a pro when the fur starts to fly in the trial scenes.
By the way, who is this author with the chutzpah to lay bare this complex and deeply moving story, bringing the most fascinating intricacies to the surface, personally interviewing nearly all the key players, and tying it all together with the flavor of a best-selling novel? Turns out she’s a former Israeli Supreme Court clerk (clerks are the folks who do legal analysis heavy lifting for the judges) and she was recently invited to speak on employment contracts at the White House and U.S. Treasury Dept. How’s that for credentials.
And so you may be wondering by now: Does David beat Goliath? Do we get that idyllic miracle-on-ice-style victory for our hero? Or something more complex… ? Well, you’ve got to grab your own copy to find that out.
Every once in a while, a book comes along, brimming with charm and humor, that engrosses your interest completely. That book is You Don’t Own Me. For anyone who’s ever had ambitions to go beyond the status quo, this book is going to hit home—and teach you how to play it smart when it’s time for you to grab your brass ring.
Inspiring and lucid from the start, You Don’t Own Me is a saga for the ages, comprised of dozens of factually essential stories and anecdotes—always captivating and often very funny—seamlessly woven together to tell a critically important story. Try to clear an afternoon for this one. I couldn’t put it down and finished it in a day.
Without divulging any spoilers, I’ll say that Lobel immerses us in a David and Goliath story, beginning with an artist’s journey to manifest his vision and break free from the oppressive, corporate forces that sought to box him in. But that’s just the beginning. The twists, turns, and jaw-dropping character studies deftly draw you into the unfolding narrative.
Perhaps the most interesting character study is Barbie herself. I had little to no prior Barbie knowledge, and guess what, I’m still not interested in Barbie. But after this book, it is impossible not to appreciate how the still-unparalleled Barbie zeitgeist has so deeply intertwined itself—body and soul—into nearly every dimension of the human experience.
Two heavily paraphrased “quotes” chosen out of innumerable gems:
» Nobel laureate Kenneth Arrow explains that once a company receives near-monopoly status, it has far fewer incentives to undertake the risk of improving. This is because innovation would only lead the monopolist to replace its own market share. In contrast, an upstart competitor stands to gain far more from innovation.
» Barbie is perfectly paradoxical: she is every woman, yet she is no woman. She is unchangeable yet endlessly mutable.
The text is further elevated by tastefully interspersed aphorisms from a host of great thinkers. From Aristotle to Anna Akhmatova, Jung, Anaïs Nin, Warhol, John Cage, Confucius, Dumbledore, Oscar Wilde, and of course, Weird Al Yankovic.
Speaking of parody, a significant portion of the text provides a crash course on intellectual property law. Lobel effortlessly demystifies notoriously confounding IP doctrine so that anyone can grasp the concepts and follow along like a pro when the fur starts to fly in the trial scenes.
By the way, who is this author with the chutzpah to lay bare this complex and deeply moving story, bringing the most fascinating intricacies to the surface, personally interviewing nearly all the key players, and tying it all together with the flavor of a best-selling novel? Turns out she’s a former Israeli Supreme Court clerk (clerks are the folks who do legal analysis heavy lifting for the judges) and she was recently invited to speak on employment contracts at the White House and U.S. Treasury Dept. How’s that for credentials.
And so you may be wondering by now: Does David beat Goliath? Do we get that idyllic miracle-on-ice-style victory for our hero? Or something more complex… ? Well, you’ve got to grab your own copy to find that out.
Every once in a while, a book comes along, brimming with charm and humor, that engrosses your interest completely. That book is You Don’t Own Me. For anyone who’s ever had ambitions to go beyond the status quo, this book is going to hit home—and teach you how to play it smart when it’s time for you to grab your brass ring.
August 29, 2022
This book is about two stories: (1) one about the history of Barbie and Bratz, and (2) the corporate litigation between the two companies that manufacture the aforementioned dolls, Mattel and MGA. Most importantly, the book outlines the (legal) issues with respect to the ownership of a design: patents vs. copyrights. And this with regards to the complexity that e.g. definitions in an employment contract can bring in finally claiming company ownership of a patent or copyright. As will be discussed in this book, it can be even one word like "idea" that makes all the difference.
Whilst I clearly get the feeling that the author has a bias in favor of MGA, the author is still open in discussing all relevant facts. This openess allowed me to take the opposite position: i.e. I personally favour Mattel's position. Without giving any further detail on whom in the end is right - because it would spoil the read - I leave it to the reader to find out what and who in the end will be the winner.
Or are there winners?! Because in the end it is all very expensive litigation that favours corporate lawyers...
The arguments used in the trial are also relevant towards today's society. Because has there ever been a distinction between the time that you spend for your employer and the time for yourself!? Who owns the ideas that you come up with whilst showering? Are ideas even part of a mental process that you can start or stop at wish?! Because in the "work-at-home" society of today all boundaries between work and play are blurred.
All of the above - in combination with an excellent writing style - make me rate this book as a 4-star read. And it is an easily obtained 4-stars, because if could give it a decimal, I would rate it at 4.3 stars.
Whilst I clearly get the feeling that the author has a bias in favor of MGA, the author is still open in discussing all relevant facts. This openess allowed me to take the opposite position: i.e. I personally favour Mattel's position. Without giving any further detail on whom in the end is right - because it would spoil the read - I leave it to the reader to find out what and who in the end will be the winner.
Or are there winners?! Because in the end it is all very expensive litigation that favours corporate lawyers...
The arguments used in the trial are also relevant towards today's society. Because has there ever been a distinction between the time that you spend for your employer and the time for yourself!? Who owns the ideas that you come up with whilst showering? Are ideas even part of a mental process that you can start or stop at wish?! Because in the "work-at-home" society of today all boundaries between work and play are blurred.
All of the above - in combination with an excellent writing style - make me rate this book as a 4-star read. And it is an easily obtained 4-stars, because if could give it a decimal, I would rate it at 4.3 stars.
September 29, 2018
A quick yet fully satisfying read. Lobel establishes her story early and keeps to it throughout the book with nary a hint of redundancy. (I'm always suspicious of a book that lays out much of the basic story / argument in the first chapter. I worry that the rest of the book is merely a rehash of the intro. Not so in this case.)
Why is this story worth your time? If you are living the consumerist dream while working in Corporate America that manufactures that dream, get this book. You will walk away with a much better understanding of the true nature of 'free enterprise' in its late stages. The Mattel v. MGA legal fight is more than a story about these two companies. It is about how ALL US businesses use the legal system, their market position, and the black arts to suppress innovation, trap their employees, and crush any potential rival. All along the way they keep selling the idea that THEY represent what is good and wholesome in America. In other words, they make and maintain the dominate claim on western culture and social norms.
There is a reason that we call it the American 'dream.'
Why is this story worth your time? If you are living the consumerist dream while working in Corporate America that manufactures that dream, get this book. You will walk away with a much better understanding of the true nature of 'free enterprise' in its late stages. The Mattel v. MGA legal fight is more than a story about these two companies. It is about how ALL US businesses use the legal system, their market position, and the black arts to suppress innovation, trap their employees, and crush any potential rival. All along the way they keep selling the idea that THEY represent what is good and wholesome in America. In other words, they make and maintain the dominate claim on western culture and social norms.
There is a reason that we call it the American 'dream.'
October 17, 2022
The tale of a riveting legal battle that you can't get enough of...
Law professor, Orly Lobel, did an incredible job researching these two companies and every aspect of the trials that took place over the span of a decade. You get not only the perspectives of the company representatives themselves but also the jurors. This book exposes the ugly side of toy making and gives the background on the creation of Barbie and Bratz.
Who owns your thoughts? Who owns sketches that you may have come up with on the weekend in a basement working late on a passion project? Mattel, toy giant extraordinaire, seems to think they do if they have ever employed you. Intellectual property is the main focus of the litigation as the creator of Bratz, Carter Bryant, is sued over his original idea of Bratz dolls.
This is a fascinating read that should be a warning to all aspiring creators out there to always make sure to cover your bases and know what language invades the contracts you are signing; it could cost you millions one day.
Law professor, Orly Lobel, did an incredible job researching these two companies and every aspect of the trials that took place over the span of a decade. You get not only the perspectives of the company representatives themselves but also the jurors. This book exposes the ugly side of toy making and gives the background on the creation of Barbie and Bratz.
Who owns your thoughts? Who owns sketches that you may have come up with on the weekend in a basement working late on a passion project? Mattel, toy giant extraordinaire, seems to think they do if they have ever employed you. Intellectual property is the main focus of the litigation as the creator of Bratz, Carter Bryant, is sued over his original idea of Bratz dolls.
This is a fascinating read that should be a warning to all aspiring creators out there to always make sure to cover your bases and know what language invades the contracts you are signing; it could cost you millions one day.
September 5, 2023
A two-part book, in a way. The first part deals with the history of how Bratz, and then the earlier Barbie, were invented. The second part deals with their often nasty battles in court. The first part suffered from some glaring errors (not “all” dolls prior to Barbie were baby dolls, as claimed; Bild-Lilli did not have nipples, as claimed; Barbie and Ken did not divorce, they broke up [for all her wedding gowns, and presumably weddings, Barbie is never a wife]). The second part, however, is much stronger and packed with thoughtful analysis. As a historian and not a lawyer, I appreciated learning about how intellectual property law is treated in court. The strength of this book is in the second half (and it isn’t perhaps surprising, as the author is a law professor). I especially loved the last chapter, which delves not only into the “what” of how the law stands but also the “why.” She convincingly argues that we should keep in mind what is best for the consumers and how we as a society can nurture creativity and innovation.
January 22, 2023
As someone who’d been aware of the Mattel/MGA court battles but never really that well-versed on them, this book painted such a detailed yet clear portrait of the people and practices surrounding the lawsuits.
Getting to learn more about the origins of Bratz, the psychology of Barbie in its early days, the corporate culture of Mattel and even the impact of different judges on the various cases was a delight - Lobel lays out the ways of the courtroom, copyright litigation and competitive practices (both generally and in the toy industry) in a thorough yet easy to understand way. I did not expect to gain such an insight on legal knowhow!
I also appreciated the level of respect - Lobel takes the subject matter seriously and with empathy, though with the right self awareness and a touch of humour.
Getting to learn more about the origins of Bratz, the psychology of Barbie in its early days, the corporate culture of Mattel and even the impact of different judges on the various cases was a delight - Lobel lays out the ways of the courtroom, copyright litigation and competitive practices (both generally and in the toy industry) in a thorough yet easy to understand way. I did not expect to gain such an insight on legal knowhow!
I also appreciated the level of respect - Lobel takes the subject matter seriously and with empathy, though with the right self awareness and a touch of humour.
March 29, 2023
As a young woman who grew up with Bratz from their inception, it was interesting to read about the litigation that ensued during my childhood. I had heard about the trial but was too young to understand what it was really about. Lobel not only discusses the trial at large but dives into the history, psychology, and economics surrounding it. Her argument is that corporations are stifling creativity by monopolizing industries and claiming ownership of employees' ideas. At times, her points and phrases get repetitive, but that would be my only gripe. She is a lawyer by trade, and while it is difficult to grasp at first as a novice, it was fascinating to explore the nuances of copyright, trademark, and contract law. Following the book's publication, Bratz returned to shelves, I would love to hear Lobel's thoughts on what this move means for the industry at large.This book is for doll fans!
September 3, 2018
This book is a riveting account of the decade-long legal battle that Mattel (maker of Barbie) waged against MGA Entertainment for allegedly stealing the concept for MGA's highly successful line of Bratz dolls. Lobel uses her expertise as an intellectual property law professor to provide deep intellectual context to the story, which is impeccably researched. The book weaves together an intriguing narrative about the outsized egos at the helm of the cutthroat toy industry, while also providing thoughtful social commentary along the way—both about iconic Barbie herself and about who should possess legal ownership of ideas. It’s a terrific read and would also make a great Hollywood movie.
January 2, 2021
I absolutely loved this book! I finished it in 5 days over my winter break. I was expecting a book that would predominately cover the trial proceedings of Mattel v MGA, but I was so pleased to find out that this book covered so much more than that. As someone who grew up with Barbie and made the switch to Bratz (and also grew up in a religion that condemned bratz), this book was extremely relatable and it was fascinating to hear about the history of the toys that I spent countless hours playing with. The book also offers incite into the harm of non-competition clauses and copyright laws, which are topics that I had never thought of or explored before!
December 20, 2021
I had no idea this even happened! I remember then the Bratz dolls came out, but never knew any kids who were interested in them. I didn't know toy makers were so ruthless. No good guys in this book as far as I could tell; they all come out looking bad. I'm somewhat aware of copyright and patent laws, but no means an expert, and it was a complete surprise that ideas or just ideas thought about on company time could be considered the companies! Shame on humans for having brains and imaginations, I guess. Intellectual ownership of thoughts, nope, too big brother for my tastes.
Entertaining read and very enlightening.
Entertaining read and very enlightening.
January 19, 2022
An interesting story that says a lot about our society and where we are at in the corporate world. I think this is a must read and a great cautionary tale for all aspiring artist as they began their career or think about what they want to do do earnings. At some point the book seemed a little dragged out and and repetitive. In other words, it may have been longer than what it needed to be. I would have love if points were connected to other things in our society instead of being reiterated. I think that would have been a better use of a short tale made long. I did learn a lot about copyright and trademark laws though and learned a lot more about some of my two favorite childhood toys.
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