Mattel claimed that Bryant, who freelanced for MGA, violated an employment agreement by helping the rival toy company develop its line of Bratz dolls while still employed by Mattel.
According to former Mattel designer Carter Bryant, messing with Barbie had become so taboo at the company that he took his idea for dolls with big heads and dressed in hip-hop clothes to competitor MGA in 2000--where they became Barbie's first true rival, Bratz.