Skip to main content

Litigating Barbie

IRWIN KRAMER: Mattel was not in the mood to party when Danish Rock Band, Aqua, mocked its vision of the all American Girl. Mattel thought the song Barbie Girl hurt her reputation. So, the toy maker defended her honor in court, suing Aqua’s record label for trademark infringement by taking Barbie’s name in vain.

Would the court play along?

The ruling was not music to Barbie’s ears. The band did not need Mattel’s permission to use her name. It had a first amendment right to lampoon this pop icon.

But Barbie survived the lyrics and the band that wrote them. Aqua split up a year before the case was decided.

Law Can Be Stranger than Fiction



About LTVN | Expert Bios | Contact Us



© 2023 by LTVN | Legal Television and LTVN Holdings, LLC
This website and the CLIENTELEVISION® video library are designed for informational purposes only and are not intended to constitute legal advice.
Please seek the representation of licensed attorneys in your locale to protect your legal rights.