Americans need to come together and take a stand. It’s our duty to refuse to allow the images of President Barack Obama’s daughters to be peddled for profit. Ty Inc., the maker of the perennially popular Beanie Babies and the two brown dolls now on the shelves of toy stores and gift shops called “Marvelous Malia” and “Sweet Sasha,” is marketing the dolls which resemble our 44th President’s pre-teen daughters, Malia and Sasha. The eponymous dolls are a part of the TyGirlz collection, dolls that resemble the often criticized, scantily clad Bratz dolls. The dolls sell for $9.99 each.
An Obama spokeswoman, Katie McCormick Lelyveld, said the first family felt it was “inappropriate to use young private citizens for marketing purposes.” While we admire the first children, they need their privacy and a marketing ploy of this nature compromises their character. It is not a coincidence that Ty Inc. would introduce their first black dolls during the time preceding President Obama’s inauguration.
It is illegal to use unauthorized images of individuals for commercial purposes. Whoever says that the first family shouldn’t raise a fuss is obviously has blinders on. While Ty Inc. denies the Obama girls inspired the latest addition to the collection, an image infringements suit and financial retribution are in order.
Below are some prior infringement suits.
January 2009 – Tony Duquette, Inc. filed a suit against Michael Kors (USA) alleging that Kors infringed on the late designer and artist’s proprietary name and trademark by producing and marketing a Kors Resort Collection using the name Duquette.
July 2008 – Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson sued Taco Bell claiming that the fast-food restaurant chain used his name without permission in advertising that asks him to call himself 79 Cent, 89 Cent or 99 Cent.
June 2008 – Devo went to war with McDonald’s, claiming that a new Happy Meal toy infringes on their copyrighted stage appearance. The fast food chain released a series of “American Idol” toys, which aim to celebrate different genres and periods of American music.
October 2003 – Basketball star Yao Ming reached a settlement with global drinks company Coca-Cola’s Chinese unit over a lawsuit concerning the rights to his image. Coke halted the production and marketing of its commemorative bottles bearing the image.
