Mattel to sue over lesbian Barbie show
Toy manufacturer Mattel is reportedly threatening to sue a Brazilian artist for portraying Barbie as a lesbian.
Karin Schwarz's exhibition features pictures of Barbie in compromising situations, reports the Jornal de Sao Paulo newspaper.
Mattel has given the artist 24 hours to close down the exhibiton or they say they will take legal action.
But Ms Schwarz says she will not back down: "Barbie is exploited by Mattel. She wears a bikini, she shows off her belly, has big breasts, and even has a boyfriend," she said.
The exhibition, entitled Amazing Girls, is on show at a bar in the city of Curitiba.
A Mattel spokesperson said: "Barbie is a very proper lady and she is not happy about being portraited as something that she isn't.
"We are going to sue and we hope that this teaches people a lesson. Also, Barbie is 46 years old, she should be respected!"
posted by Miki @ 00:35
19 Comments
19 Comments:
oh my god, man. . . . how insane.
from the article:
"Barbie is a very proper lady and she is not happy about being portraited as something that she isn't."
so, as long as someone wasn't a homophobe, being mistaken for gay would be a laughing matter:
"oh, you thought i was gay? awesome."
when barbie (a corporate idea) is portrayed as a lesbian, she is unhappy "about being portraited (sic) as something that she isn't."
i hope that the next time someone portaits me in an unflattering way, i get to have the might of a huge company come crashing down on them. . . .
anyway. . . .
i think i'm going to go drink some drano now.
they do realize that a lot of little kids take barbie's head off right? i once knew a kid who left her head in an ice cream carton to scare his mom. i would say that counts as being disrespectful whereas being lesbian does not.
Screw you, Mattel. You get uglier every day.
Everyone loves lesbians let's just roll with it.
Why are people such crybabies these days?
Mattel provides Barbie with clothes that make her look like a whore, accessories that glamourize extravagance, and a figure that is out of proportion to normal humans. They have no right to attempt a "moral high ground". Stupid American corporation is slurring Lesbians with their stance. All Lesbians should file a class action lawsuit against Mattel.
"Barbie is exploited by Mattel."
"Barbie is a very proper lady and she is not happy about being portraited as something that she isn't."
Uh, it's still a plastic doll, right?
46 years old? Barbie is a MILF!
Uh, I think Mattel has to sue a whole lot of kids then. I don't know how many times I've seen snickering boys make two Barbies kiss.
Not to mention all the punk haircuts my Barbies got.
Why does the Mattel spokesthing sound like she's a little girl herself? "We are going to sue and we hope that this teaches people a lesson." All I hear when I read that is the little girl from the old Tom & Jerry cartoons who dressed Tom in infant clothes: "You have been a very bad baby and now you get a spanking!"
In the U.S., satire of this kind is considered protected free speech. Assuming they have something equivalent to the First Amendment in Brazil... Mattel can *suck it*.
A Mattel spokesperson said: "Barbie is a very proper lady and she is not happy about being portraited as something that she isn't.
Erm, as an inanimate object, I'm sure Barbie lacks the ability to give a flying eff.
Barbie is a trademark of Mattel. They have a right to not have someone use their trademark product for their own use.
This artist is using a trademarked product to promote his show, and Mattel has avery right - by US law - to sue him for it. However I don't know how Brazilian law handles copyright infringement, and as the artist has been clever enough to involve the issue of homosexuality he now has plenty of allies.
There is a lot of prejudice against corporations nowadays, so if the artist's legal team can exploit that, and portray the artist as a champion of female homosexuality, they may be able to get away with it. But it's obviously a clear breach of copyright.
well, ken has no man parts and barbie is rich and has tons of female friends.
do the math :P
I'm still curious as to wether the artist actually called the picture something like "Barbie munching rug" or if someone from mattel happened to see the drawing and say,"Oh that's barbie!"
The article doesn't give a full picture of the circumstances. And seeing as how it's an artistic rendition and not an actual barbie doll being used, it should fall under satire and free speech.
I'd sooner expect Mattel to go after those people on the internet making those "Barbie becomes a crackwhore" and "Barbie becomes an inmates bitch" skits.
I love how they give an inanimate object a personality though, perhaps if barbie feels so strongly about the issue she should be on hand for her court date? Or even represent herself?
I have very mixed emotions on this.
I have been a Barbie collector for most of my adult life. I love my dolls.
But now, hearing her being referred to as a "proper lady" who couldn't possibly be a lesbian?
This bothers me to my core.
And I think I have to find a new hobby now. I shall start with inundating Mattel with letters from a bisexual woman who loves her Barbies...
Signed,
An Improper Lady.
CP.
HA! When I was little...my barbies were always lesbians... Ken liked to watch though :D
Dear Mattel,
Give Kan a Penis. Then we'll talk.
No Love,
Barbie.
Clearly they want to protect the sanctity of Barbie.
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