Mattel Sues ChinaBarbie.com for Trademark Violation

By Anne Winter

Wednesday, Aug 22, 2007 Text size:

NEW YORK — Barbie doll manufacturer Mattel Inc. has sued adult performer China Barbie of ChinaBarbie.com for using its famous product's name on her website.

Mattel filed suit in U.S. District Court in Manhattan, alleging China Barbie violated Barbie's registered trademark by including it in her domain name in a "bad faith attempt to profit from Mattel's Barbie trademarks."

The company alleges ChinaBarbie.com, owned by Global China Networks, has damaged Mattel's good name.

Mattel has demanded that the domain name, which is registered with registrar GoDaddy.com, be transferred to Mattel and that China Barbie pay the company up to $100,000 in damages as well as any profit she may have made via her paysite.

China Barbie charges members $19.95 for monthly access to photos and video clips.

Mattel Press Contact Sara Rosales told XBIZ that the company will not comment until the case is heard.

It is unclear whether other adult stars using the "Barbie" name could be subject to future trademark violation lawsuits.

As of Wednesday, ChinaBarbie.com was live online.

China Barbie was unavailable for comment at press time.

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