Very interesting decision in copyright dispute. The owners of Barbie (Mattel) had sued the creator of Bratz for copyright infringement based on the fact that he had created the range of toys whilst under contract to them.

A court in California has just awarded Mattel around $40 million which is nothing compared to the estimated £500 million Bratz makes in profits each year.

What is interesting here is that this highlights the need to document everything you do in respect of the creative process in order to prove that this was from original thought and the process as to how you arrived at the end result. It also highlights the need to check any contract of employment or engagement which may restrict or limit your activities.