Jury Can Learn Bratz Doll’s Creator Used ‘Evidence Eliminator’
A California federal judge has ruled that the jury hearing a dispute between the makers of Barbie and Bratz dolls can hear testimony that Bratz’s creator used computer software called “Evidence Eliminator” to scramble information.
The software promises to eliminate “unwanted sensitive data.” Bratz creator Carter Bryant, who sold his Bratz doll idea to MGA Entertainment Inc. after working at Mattel Inc., renamed 9,400 computer files with the program, the Wall Street Journal reports (sub. req.). Mattel, the maker of Barbie, claims it owns Bratz because Bryant developed initial drawings for the idea while working there.
Mattel says the program could have been used to destroy relevant e-mail and drawings of early Bratz artwork. The software was used two days before Bryant’s computer was scanned for evidence in the case. MGA lawyers said the software was intended to scrub the computer of Internet pop-up ads of a sexual nature.
U.S. District Judge Stephen Larson called Bryant’s actions “really powerful impeachment evidence,” according to the article. Bryant has already settled with Mattel.
The trial has also featured a side dispute over whether Mattel’s lawyers can stay at the same hotel as their legal opponents.
