CBS Explores Dark Side of the Doll With ‘You Don’t Own Me’ Acquisition

After Margot Robbie’s Barbie took over the world in a pink sweep, CBS Studios is looking at exploring the dark side of the doll with the acquisition of “You Don’t Own Me”. 

“You Don’t Own Me: How Mattel V. MGA Entertainment Exposed Barbie’s Dark Side” is a book by Orly Lobel, a law professor. It draws parallel journeys of Barbie creator Ruth Handler and Bratz creator Carter Bryant. In other words, the book explores the history of the Barbie and Bratz rivalry. 

And following the release of Greta Gerwig’s live-action Barbie movie, Bratz has also entered the spotlight thanks to CBS Studios having acquired the series for development. Sources believe the show will explore the origin story for both dolls, Barbie and Bratz – from Bryant’ creation of the Bratz dolls in his spare time while he was working as a Barbie designer for Mattel to the decade-long court battle. 

It followed Bryant selling Bratz to MGA Entertainment and the decades of cultural impact that Babrie has had on both young girls and the toy industry. This entertaining and provocative works, as per the book’s synopsis, pits audacious MGA against behemoth Mattel. It shows how an idea turns into a product, and explores the two different versions of womanhood, represented by traditional all-American Barbie and her defiant, anti-establishment rival, the only doll to come close to outselling her. 

Mattel claimed that Bryant drew sketches of the Bratz dolls while he worked at the company as a designer, but MGA says he drew the Bratz designs in 1998 when he had been on hiatus from Mattel. But the court sided with Mattel in 2008, however, in 2011, a new set of jurors ruled in favor of MGA. 

Also Read: Jimmy Kimmel to Launch Podcast ‘Strike Force Five’ With Jimmy Fallon

The book highlights that in an era when workers may be asked to sign contracts granting their employers the rights to and income resulting from their ideas, whether conceived during work hours, or on their own time. Lobel’s book is a riveting and thought-provoking contribution to the contentious debate over creativity and intellectual property.