8. Mattel Filed A Lawsuit Against Aqua Over Their Song "Barbie Girl"
Aqua is a Danish-Norwegian euro-dance group, best known for the single they released in 1997, "Barbie Girl." The song, still popular today, is a highly sexual song where Ken and Barbie talk back and forth, hinting back and forth that they want to do dirty things together. More specifically, Ken says, "C'mon Barbie let's go party" to which she responds, "Ah, ah, ah, yeah." It shouldn't come as a surprise to find out that Mattel, the toy company and manufacturer of the world famous Barbie doll, filed a lawsuit against MCA records, the company that signed Aqua, based on the grounds that the song infringed copyright, and ruined Barbie's image. The judge in charge of the case, Judge Kozxinski, ruled against Mattel based on the grounds that the song is protected by free speech, because it was a parody and a social commentary. Furthermore, the judge said that "With Barbie, Mattel created not just a toy but a cultural icon... With fame often comes unwanted attention." The judge went on to elaborate on the fact that Barbie has been criticized by feminists since it was first released in the 1950s. But, perhaps the most ridiculous part about this case is what Judge Kozxinski said as the case was coming to a close. The judge, when issuing his ruling, famously proclaimed "The parties are advised to chill."
Loves writing anything from humor driven articles, to serious short stories. The only thing Owen doesn't like to write are biographies. Those are kind of awkward.
