19SMCV01209
Electronically FILED by Superior Court of California, County of Los Angeles on 07/03/2019
11:16 AM Sherri R. Carter, Executive Officer/Clerk of Court, by M. Mariscal,Deputy Clerk
Assigned for all purposes to: Santa Monica Courthouse, Judicial Officer: H. Ford III

13ryan,l.

I

rccdman (SI)N

15 I I)90)

131'nclll: bit'CCdinlln(I7l it(I l').Coul

Jesse A. I(aplan (SI3N 255059J
I')mail: iltai)lan(rttftllp.corn
Ad&1m N. PuglltCh (SI3N 293556)

mail:anuuatch(II)I'Ilh).corn
IIRI;I:,OMAN -I 'I'Al'I'I I.MAN,
Avtnlue ol'thc Stars, Suite 500
I.os Angeles, California 90067
'I"elcphonc: 310-201-0005
I

I.I.I'901

Facsimile: 310-201-0045
.1. I cldman (SIIN 173)383)
I'.mail: ml'eklnl&ln(fill'clnlcslclw.coul
Robert M. Shore (SI)N 166018)
I;nlclll: I'shoi'c(fI&i'cllncslaw.cool
RAINI S FI LDIMAN I.I.P
1800 Avcnuc OI'Ihc Stars, 12th Floor
l,os Angclcs. Calil'ornici 90067

Miles

10

'I'elcphonc: (310) 440-4100
Facsimile: (424) 23')-2657
12

Attol'ncvs

fol'lalntl IT I lclTlclc

13

Pl'ocltlcl tons„ I.I.C

SUI'ERIOR COUR'I'F TIIE STATE OF CALII'ORNIA

14

FOR

'I

IIE COUNTY OF LOS AN(:ELES — WES f,IUDICIAI. DISTRIC'I'

15
16

II;RRICI& PROI)UC'1'IONS, I.I.C. a
Delaware limited liabl! Ity company.,

C

Unlimited Civil Case
d
$ 75,000

PlaintilT,

17

risc No.:

D

vs,

COMPLAINT FOR:

19

70

MA I 3 131, INC.. a Dclawcll'c col'Porallon,
and DOI:,S I through 10,

21

DCfCntlcu'ltS.

1.

BRf&.ACII OI'MPLII&".D

CONTRACT;
2.

13RF.ACII Ofc CONI& ll)lr.N('ll.;

3.

FRAUD; AND

4.

TRADE SISCRET
MISAI'PROPRIATION

77

75

26
27

I

COMPLAINT

 Plaintiff'I h:rrick Productions, I,I C f'I II&

)k

against defendant Ma!tel, Inc. f"Mat(of"3, Bnd Does
Dcfen(fants

allcgcs thc I'allowing causes of action
I

through 10, inclusive fcoflcctively,

3:

INTIZOI)IICTION
'I'his nlaucl'nvolves t)rfattcf

l.
I

II Io

s

partic]pate in production of'Ihc show /

idea theft

cltld

bl'each ol tu) a))plied contrac1 with

/cgvtr&)/(er» vvllh

I

ll

.

Qnd

Maucl's fraud designed

to keep 111'itting on thc sidclincs while Mattcl rushed to markc1. /'/&Iyrncr/(er» is

Qn

unscriptcd

tclcvision show where invenIors pitch their toys to child judges for evaluation with the goal of
reaching thc finale.
j

scrlcs,

Lhe

winner

01 11)c

lnltllc rcccivcs pri/c Blooey and a contract for

sponsol'f'hc

pl'0(fltcLIOB of'tl'lc

10

11)c

O'Qs

'Lo

to)s MatLcl vvas

bc

10

Ica1LB'(c(f pl'OtrltncnLJV cls

thc cxclilslve tov

bc 101Blly in1cgl'cite(1 into thc shov&'nd Lvollld nlanilf cl(.'ILB'c 'thc winnct'

grand prize for thc winning toy inventor, Instead, Mattcl produced

/3ox without I IP in brcach

of its contract. Mattel took

I

Lhe

show

cts

ll's ideas, breached its oblig&ations to

include I II, Bnd pl'oduced the show under anoIher title as 77)e To) /3ox causing& financial

15

damages to

I-IP. 'I'o preven1 I IP

10)

lying

tts continued interest in working vvllh I IP.

Blx)LIL

rom

beating&

Mattcl to mtlrket, Mat!el strung

along by

I-IP

COMlVION ALLI."C."ATIONS

17

2.

I

ICITIC1C

I

I'Od(ICIIOBS&

LI,C,

IS. QBCl tll «ill LBTICS I'CICVLIOI hCI&eul WQS,

'&I

DCJQVL'clt'C

19

limited liabilit)'onlp'lny with its principal place ol'business in J)oca 13aton, I lorida.

20

I'rcduCtiOnS, I.I.C. and any pl'L'dCCCSSOI'n lntCI'CSL
3.

21

77

IM&lttcf

ts.

&u'Id BI

f)l'inCiPcll Plc)CC 01 buSIBCSS tn

23

4.

Thc wl'ongf ill

cu'C

I'CfeITed 10

nfl 1)nl('s Iclcvcult hct'ctn was,

11'IC

Cola)LV 01

clccs bv Lhc

I

OS

B

«)S

Ill

I)( Iclw'll'e col'J')ol llton v'ith its

AngCJCS. SLQIC Of CBJIJOI'nltl.

Def'endanIs, Qnd

cclcl'I

ol 11)cnl. clllcgcd herein occurred

in thc County of Los Angeles, State

75

thc P/(r)&m(r/(er» ideas were presented and taken in breach of'the agrccmcnt,

76

S.

as the

of Calif'ornia whcrc the agrcenucnt was cntcrcd

111's inf'ormcd and bclicvcs

partncl'nd/ol'tuthorized agents

th&11

till Dcl'ctlclants wcl'c clcttng

Bnd/01'cull)loy'CL's

conspllcltot's of clif othcl'(',lcndants, v'1th

Iferrick

.

74

27

cls

7'he 7b)r

14

I

n)y

&lnd

I'clcvBBL

tin)as

tuld/ol'olnt vcntllltct's (tuel/or co-

Lhc ILII! 1(noMilccl(!c of eclch

COMI&L.AIN'L'

clt Bll

in10,

Dcfcnclant, s

&lets

told

 001issions& as alleged herein, and that cclch 1)efendant rati lied e:Ich and every act clad/ol
7

001ISSIOB Ol

L.'BCh cu1CI

6,

3

I

CVCI')'thel'C I Cadent,

I!'s currently unaware of additional

responsible in sonic 01Bnncl'101'hc
t&cli(f

sought herein. Should

ln son1e
snug&ht

I'ncinnci'ol'hc

herein,

desi&&noted

persons or entities that n)ight he

lcg&all)

on'lissions and 1he damag&cs allcg&cd or other

0011sslons dcscl113ed hci'cnl, «01d/or thc damag&es or o1hcr rchcl

clc1s cu)d

will amend 1his Compl'lint to add any and all such Dcfcndiuits& who alic
I

thl'0Llgh 10, lnclL!sivc,
I

II'l leg&«s that th('. Dcl'cndcu1ts

to this action werc 1he a11er egos ol'onc cu101hci', and 1hci'c exists,

mcntioncd has existed,
12

herein.

II'ater discover inl'oilfla'Liol'11hat sLlggcs1s others are rcsponsiblc

I&pon ll'llol'01Btion and belief,

7.

9

10

I-IP

I

acLs Bnd/of

this time onl)'cls Docs

«It

BS clllCg&ed

B LB1ity

ol'interest and ovvncl'ship 13ctwc('0

'1llcl Bt

'BI

clll

times iiclativc

'lll times herein

Bnd Bnlol'Ig thc D«lend'nits

such that any separatcncss has cctised to exist.

Venue in Ihis Court is proper pursuant.

8.

gcction 3 )6

01 that&

Lo

Calilornia Code of Civil I'roccdulic

«anon!'1hcl'hnlgs. thc vvl'ongltll (lets llllcg('d hcl'cnl

occ(BTcd nl I.os

Angeles County, Calit'ornia.
9.

16
17

cntcf talon)cnt

1&9

19

20

I

child

lcrrick Productions, LI

10111)BL

known

/

Bs

10.

/'/«i m«/(e&'» Is

judg&cs

for evaluation with

/(0&Inc(/R&&re

(ul Lulscl'ipicd
Lhe

11.

I-IP

tclcvision show whcl'c nlvci'lioi's

1)ncl'I

Ihcil'o) s 10

goal ol'reaching 1hc linalc. Thc winner 1)cceivcs prixc

money and a coniract for production

21

is thc owner ol'all rights concerning& a i)cality

C&

ol'he toy.

invested substantial time and money in obtaining these rights. in I'urther

27
developing& and

protecting the concept, and in preparation of pitching /'/(iymu/(er» to U.S.

3

nctwol'ks& potential pBI'Inci's& Bnd 1311vcl's

10

ol)tain

B

pl'od(lctlon order.

I

IP also hilcl a

2«t

)5

26
27

development
I

a&&recmcn1

with The CW and

a

production services agreement with Rg3

I'od(lctlons. Inc.
12.

Ihc cxcILislvc

I-IP

was looking

10

I'3al'tuel'ith

a toy

company in producin&g

10)'ponsoi'u)d/01'hc 01BBL!fclcILuci'f thc toys.

COMI&L..ALN'I'

/'/(01II(&/(e&»

and as

 'I'hc inclividuals «I'liliatcd with IP who intcracted with ivlattel incluilcd Norton

13.

I

I

I

icrriclc ("I lcrriclc') (who was and is I II"s managing member), Phil (furin ("(fttritf'). «nd Pilar

cle

Posadiis ("dc I'osad«s").

Ill'ontacted Mattcl and

14.

4

iccached an agreement vvhcrcby I IP agrccd io

confidentially sharc information and all their ideas as to how to produce:
MLL1tcl

7

P/cki n»&le!» Lvith

and in exchange Mattcl would lceep thc ideas confidential and participa1e in thc show

nilly with

I

II

.

15.

Mattcl breached its conti'clc1 vvith 1-11'o lceep the iclcas confidential ancl did itot

produce I'IOJ»»oke&» with I IP. Instead, Mattcl used Ill" s ideas, given as conditional
considera1ion to Mattel in exclcaltg&c for Mattel's ag&rccmcnt to produce the show only with
I

ill)cl

f

pl'odilccd thc aflow
16.

12
f )

7/re

1'OJ&

Llt)elec

the title '/'Iie

T»J&

I-IP,

/3o» v;i1h Llllotllcl'iltltv.

/3»» is an AI3C unscripted television scrics that piccmierccf on or iibout

Af)i'll 7, 2017, ihcl'eby first providing notice to

111'l'Mtittcl's brut)eh and other misconduct.

'I'hc show depicts toy inventors as they present toys to chilcl judges Ior cvaluiition and
I

5

aclvililcclitci11 to 1hc Ililillc,

I

he sc",asoll s Lvii1lliilg toy is thci1 pfocILlccd alld dis1ributed by

Mattcl.
17

17.

On or about June

Ig

IS.

Ill

'f

9

20

16&

2017. AIJC renewed the scrics for a second season.

ol'il'oillld April or

iVIay

2014. a inceLillg was

LLITallgccl

Iol'II'nd

iMattel to

cfiScilSS I ICIJ'llicikLILL.
ICJ.

'I'hrough Gurin, I-II'liscussed thc I'acc-to-face meeting with iVlattcl's Vice-

ol'4

I'resident Communications, .Iulia I'istor, and discussed disclosures in advance of the mcctin

27

20.

Mattel was provided a written Confidential Notice by I IP prior to

inception of the first in-person meeting. 'Ihe notice picccedcd

confldcllilaf docclinci'its Ircgal'clilig

25

collditio&lect olt

I'Ic!J&»)Like!'»

thc

opening of a piicl)ct

m«l in clear that disclosuicc ol'I'Ic(J)»»ke&» was

Mattel's conlidentiality, Since. Mattel was required to keep thc disclosure

confidential, it could not usc the informa1ion disclosed

27

thi."

ol'it

.

The ColliidcnLial No1ice stated:
C onficlcntial

Notice

4

COML&l,&VLN

1

Lo

produce the show with anyone clsc.

 Pl'opci'il'I'IIIS

IS A OONI'IDEN'I'IAL MEMORANDUM (1he '"Mcmoi"indLBI& ')

intended solely for your own limited usc to detcrminc whether you wish
express any lurther interest in thc '"I roperty".

0&

itis Mcn10('BlidLInl cont(tins bl'icf„sclccIcd Inlol'n&BIion pcl'Iaining 10
caid cll fail's of 11'ic I I'0Pcl'tys I his Mcnioi'cuicILB&& docs not PI'OPosc
10 bc cill-inclusive nor does it contain all thc infois&&attn&1. Lvhich a
lnospective invcstoi'&ay desire. We do not alake Bny''cpicscnlatiol'is 0(.
warranty, expressed or inlplicd, as to thc accuracy or cot&&plctcness ol this
Memorandum or any of i1s contents, and no legal liability is assumed or is
to be implied by any ol'thc aforementioned with respect thereto.

thl„'LIsincss

I

your i&cccipi of the ivlcmorandum, you agrcc 1hat this Memorandum and
infortnation contained herein is of cl sti'ic1 conlldciliIBI n&atLB'e Bi'id y'ou
will n01 disclose ibis IVIcnlol'andLun 01'ai'Iy'cu"1 of lhc col&1&„'nts 10 Bny
II'lii OI'ut it'v vvitlioil1 0(u'i'101'&i'l1'Icn cILII hot'Ization.
13y

111c

01hci'('.I'son,
I

10

12

If you do not vvish to pursue this matter or if we advise you for any
reason whatsoever to return this Memorandum, you agree that you will
promptly return this memorandum to us. I'hotocopying or other
duplication is not authorized.
I hiS Mcn10I cindLun Shall noi bc dCCi Bed iu1 indication Ol tl'IC Stet'tC Of ITcui'S
of ihe I'ropcriy, nor shall i1 constitute an indication that there has been no
change in the business or affiiirs of the Property since tl&c date of preparation
of this Mcnlofancl(n&1.
11

Ol'hiS IVfcnloriuld((11& 10 yo(l ClOCS not Iioi'S it intendCd
to create any rights in your Ihvor in conncc1ion &vith the I'ropcrty, including,
v&ithout limitation, the acqLIisition of the I'roperty. Any such rights cu&d
obli(!ations v'ill only be c1'ccited by a written document executed by 1hc pcu'ty
to be boi.ii'Icl thci'cundcit
OLB'!ISSCOIInci'lion

16
17

Through.lulia Pistor, Mattel accepted thc meeting on the terms set lorth

21.

20

in ihc

writ t&.'n Oonfidcntial Notice.
In iVlay 2014. also prior to thc first meeting&. through .Iulia I'istor. M'ittcl

21

rcqucstcd and

I

ll'ejected an onerous Non-Disclosure Agrecmcnt ("iUDA") which nici&'iivc

given Mattel control of HP's submissions cutd idecis exchanged in the meeting. 'I'h(. proposed
NDA that
25

27

I-IP

rejected specifically states:

4. SIMILAR SUI3MITl ED IDI'.AS. Vendor rcco nixes 1hat: (a) iVlattel has
B n(n&lbei'l pi'Od(icts sold Laid('I'
vcu'ic1y ol'rands (collectively, "Mattcl
Products" ), and (b) Mattcl has developed. «nd Mattel has sL(ggL'siccl to it by

third parties, many i&less, mBIcrials, products, concepts. and tcchniqucs
relating 1o Mattel Products. Accordingly, Vendor recognizes thai any ideas,
materials, products, concepts. and 1echniques that Vendor might disclose to
Mattel, whcnevcr and however disclosed, including without limitation,

COMPI AIN'I'

 pitch nlBLcl'tells. so-ceil lccl Icavc bchincf 111Btcl'ials'. scripts. stories.
stofyboarcls, liov cftarts. catch wol'cls, Iucssagcs& Lag fuses& htcl'cu') 01atcl'Icll&
chai'&lctcl'!I, pcrsonalitics. chalogLIc, Lcxf& then les. f1lots, titles, conlpos(1ions&
muSiC, SOundS, StOrylinCS, inVenLiOnS. dCSi&&nS, SkCLChCS, cu'tWOI'IC, nlodCIS.
Bncf Lvi'Ittcll. 01'1'Bl SLiggcstiol'Is (silch sunilBI'nd identical Idcasc 01atcl'lais.
conccf11s, Bncl techniques collectively, "Similar Submittccf Materiiils"). aitc

10

12

Vcnclol'gi'ccs

9

likely to bc similar or identical to, in whole or in part, and ma) compctc
with some such dcvelopcd and suggested ideas, ITI(11ci'ials, pi'oclLIcts&
concepts, iusd techniques. Vendor thercf'ore ag&rees that: (i) no submission
by it to Mattel ol'imilar Submitted Materials (in any form and however
idcntificd or mcnked by Vendor, regardless of whether Mattcl objects to any
such identification ormarkingf Is 01cicle ln conlidcncc ol'cinstitutcs
Vendor's confidcnticif information, and (fij no cxPress or imPlied obligation
ol any kind. including cmy payment obligations f'r the use 01'such Similar
Submittccl Miitcrials, is assumed by iVlattcl with respect thereto unless Bnd
until a subs(quent wntten «sg&rccmcnt is cxccuted and delivered (II'at (ill) by
Mattcl cutcl Vencloi', Bnd then thc obligations ol Mattel (vill bc only those sct
I'orth in the v ii1ten agreemcnt. Vendor I'urthcr agrees that: (A) !Vfattef has
no obligation to disclose to it Lhc existence of'any similar or identical ideas,
concepts, or materials that are developed or received by Mcittcl& 'cu1d (I3)
MB11cl cfocs lt01 cisstu11c Bny oblig&ation, cxprcss or impliccf, in connection
v ith Mattel's non-disclosure of thc cxistcnce of them. Vendor hereby
I'ci'ioLnlccs, Bnd itgrccs to I'clloLB1cc, culy claim thiit Mattcl mis&ippropriatcd
cuiy non" cop)'I'Ightable Bnd/or non"patcntQble Iclecls oi'onccp1s, cu'Icf
I.hat «u1v clBinl that Mattcl hcls Llsccl Vcncfoi'
Sintilar Submitted
Materials& or any element thereof, must be brought exclusively un(ler the
Patent and Copyright Laws ol'he Uni1ed States,

14

23.

In

May 2014, Ill', through Gurin, rcjcctcd this proposed NDA prior to the

loi'IP conlidenLIBIIIv wcis

of'thc 01ccting.

16

meeting bcc«itisc

17

I'(Jcctlon ol 1his NDA

18&

confidential or no meeting vvould talce place. Maitel. throug&h I'istor.

19

without thc NDA

20

used withOLlt HI'
24.

22

Qnd

Mci'Ltcl

I'ccILIII'enicn1

was noiiliccl thai HI

'I

hi'0(igh I IP's

s Icfccisw('.I'c iis 0(vli Bnd n1Llst bc Iccpi.
ag&reed to

thc mccting&

understood that I II" s ideas must i(cmain confidential and could not bc

participation.

While Mattcl was free to reject the concept proposed by I IP and not pcu'ticipatc,

Mattcl was not free to undertake thc idea without I-IP, iMattel agrccd that

details of'the format and all ideas
24

Li

conticlcntlcll cvcn

II

I

ll'ould divulg&e the

f'r Pla)&make! s and that Mattcl would keep the concept

MBncl chose noi

10

participate in I Ia)&II!akcl'5

cuscl

Bgl'eccl

Lo

attend

Lhc

I-II'7
01cciings (vith I IP with thcsc conditions in place.

26

25.

I3cforc thC 01ccLlng toolc place, Ma'Ltcl

with the understanding that

28

I-IP

Lulclci'SLOOCI cuicf

clgl'ccd to mcct with

had the exclusive I'ormat rights to Plcr)&make!,1 and Mattcl was

to kccp the idea confidential and could not use the iden
6

COMI&L&(li&I'I'

of Pla)&makers without

I-IP.

I

lowever,

 Ivfatlcl did not lcccp thcsc promises.

Mattcl wanted Its cntilc

6.

with
4

I-IV

Lc'alii

pl'cscnt

rli

cl

frace

Lo

trice Iiicctlng& on .I Laic 30. 2014.

rea&arding P/aI&ma/cel'», The meeting was attended by the following six Mattel

cxccLltlvcs

officers lvho acccptccl the

culcf

'I'im l(ilpin

Dave Voss

-—

—

f! VP, 13oys

Lci111s sc1

foi'th by IIP.

and Girls Brands Global Marl eting,

SVP. I'layground Productions

Julia Pistor -- lgxccutivc I'roduccr. Play round I'roductlons
8

I'..f. I,CV, iS — SeniOr DireCtOr GIOllal GBnlCS

()

I-lolly Stein — VP, I.icensing Acquisition

10

I.isa Strom — VP, Girls Creative

11

27.

17

I

Ilerricfc&

13l'cniCf Marl(Cting&

Dcsig&n

Gurin, and dc I'osadas p'irticipatcd in the.lunc 30, 2014, meeting I'or

IP. I ll Blade clccu'l'olil Ius cnirnls, w'lnncn I'lolicc, Bcliolls, Blld .'ItatcirlcliLs tlicll 'ihc nlloilnalion

being relayed was "conlldcnlicll

'Ill«lt

clisclosurc ol'thc, details rcspectin« /'/aJ&»Biker» was

conditioned on Ma1tcl's conlldentiality and potential par1icipation with I IP in thc project.
Mattel knew or should have intown of that condition and, in turn, Mattcl's six cxccuiivcs listed

above voluntarily accepted
f

/

cclnf!dcntiiality

I()

V/OJ&»lcl/«el »

70

lol'liiat

Biicl

II

's /'/aJ'n»l/(el'» inl'ormation with

I&now!Ccfgc

ol'h&'equiircd

poicniicl! pcuancl'slilp by p«u'ticipatioli in thc niccIing,

()Bfy alter Matte! Ltcccptcd thc condition that to usc thc clctails

28.

18

cuicl

I

it must

r&

spccting

participate with I IP, did I lerrick disclose the details ol'tile /'/aJll»akei»

cxplclin I IP's ideas respecting the potcn1ial tclcvision series based thereon to

Mattcl.
9.

22

I'riot'o

cnicf Bt Lhc

should Mattel participate,

I

time ol'cfisc:losure, it was well uliclcl'stoocf bv tile pcnties thai

ll'vould receive compensation

for its ideas.

I

I

I'oulcl produce

fluid the allow «lnd integrate Mattel into the show. Mattcl would rcccive an increase in toy

74

Biicl

75

sales Slid exposure to help push Ma1tel once again to bc the I/I toy nlanilfac'Liu'cl'/distribu1or in

the world.
77
78

30.
On Mciitcl s

I

hC flcll'IICS cilSO hciCI

coiifldCliiirllitv cmd Ill

«I

S

niLI1LIBI

LnldCI'Stcuiding that thC diSCIOSBIC

pen(i(.'ipallon ni

111C

7

COMPEL.lL IN'I'

project.

WLIS

COBClitlonCd

 At thc mccting, with a bilateral understanding regarding disclosure agreed upon,

31.
I

IP provided Maltcl with a demo reel and clocumenls lrcgalding Plat&mal&er»

pl'ovlcl lag lhc wi'lllcn Conllclcntlcll 1&foticc

Allci'hc

32.

lu'sl. Olcclnlf&.

I I

B.'I «I

P Lvlls

covcl'hcct lo lhc

LvritteIT

including

nlatcdals.

nllol'Irlccf bv IVIancl s 13u'c'ciois I.iccnsulg

Acquisitions, I lollic I-lolmes, lhat PIa1&rrraker» was 'n thc "very top" of thc Matlcl org&anix;ltion
being discussed

6

chief'executives ancl thai Mattcl wanted to move I'orwcnd.

Shoi'tly aller

33.
I'ol low-up

&vith

th«11

cclll, Mciltcl s Vl ConlniLullcatiolus, .Iulia I'istor. also sct a

call luld later requcstcd a further meetingregarcling

PI&&1

ilier/«.I». Sbc inlolnllccl I IP

that shc was imolvin Mattel's then Chief Brand OI'liccr. Richard Dickson (now Mattcl

9

President and Chief Operating Ofiiccr), so I-II'ould

10

rctLB11 Bnd

decision-malccrs.'atlcl rcqucsted specific changes

in the

discuss thc project "vvith lccy

PDI'lrcscntalion made to

it„

17

showing that Mattcl had carefully sttidicd and analyzed lhe ideas I'c,gcu'ding the whole shov and

13

its acts,

On Scptcmbc:r 5, 2014. HP mct again with several key persons at Mattcl in

34.

Scgundo, (.'Blifornicl to discuss /'Iafrrria/&er». I'hat meeting&
clncf/ol'x&.'cLulvcs& lnclLldil'lg:

16

Richen'd Dickson — thcnl Chief Hl"culds Oflicer

17

lg

.

LI'nl Cheat — &VP, I'nlanCC «uld Stl'cileglC Plculnulg

19

I-Iollic I-Iolmes — Director, Liccnsin&& Acquisitions

20

dclp l(orchek — VP. AGC 13usincss and

7]

I:;velyn Mazzocco — SVP, Global Brands Crcativc

22

.I I IIIB

l,eg&al

AITairs

.Icnscn — Vl', ConlnlLullcatiol'Is

.Iulia I'istor — VP, Playground I'roductions

24

Gary Swisher — SVP, Global Hrlulds Creative

75

Doug Wadlcigh — SVI', Boys Global Marketing

26

I

27

Lvas attcl'lclcd by

C'CAnn

Wong -- VI IBVCnlof RelclttonS
—

&

Michael Shore — Vl'. Global ConsluTlcl'lsl 'hts

2&g

ff

COMPLAINT

clelcn

IVlattcl

11

ofiiccrs

 /vt no time did Mattel disclose that it

55.

v&as

o1hers. 'I'o thc contrary. Mattcl communicated

cvcitcd about thc ncw idea

«md

involved in

th«11.

similar project presented b)

'1

ncv'dc'1 and lonnat and (vas

it loved thc

also w«lilicdl u) discuss partncring with

I

II'o produce movies

1hat fcaturcd iVIattcl s toys.

On 01'130iii Septel)113cl', 2014, Maucl s

36.
6

1101111es

1hankcd I Ieirick

advised that I lp s business aITairs attoniey should start discussing

th&.

Iol'hc

iilcc11ng

«111d

project vvith MatteI's

.ICIT

I&orchck, 'I'hcy discussed ihe project and IS.orchck st«(Lcd thilt hc was goillg 10 discuss 1he projci;1

with Dickson.

Discussions went on bctwccn

57.
10

and Mattel about the project and included specilics

about IIP having distribution rii&hts, rccciving sponsorship, integration, and product-placcmcnt

of sales fi'onl thc

01011ics, Bs well «is ii pci'ccniBgc
17

I-IP

I-II'iscussed v'ith Mat tel that

gg.

11ssociatcd

v&1th

th&".

1-11's

111Biliifactiuvcd

compensation would inciiidc

'W)1111(ili'ov Ii'oin cvcl'v seas&311

ol'hc

busi lie!is

each

&i(id

oiiiel'B1tcl toys

14

pci'ccilti1gc el 0(vnci'ship

15

the value 01'production ol'the show and tape/forma1 s«iles

16

sponsor integ&ra1ioii: its prolits Iron) distributioii;

17

B11CI/01'Old by

LMBLLCI;

Ig

and websitc at

cig&ht tii11cs

19

vvcl3siie coil'11)a)1y'ilclilcli(1g&

20

ol'«ill cpisodcs after airing on the networks, tutoriiils

71

BI1d Bll 'Lhc Loys

72

con1pan Les.

25

50.

74

for

75

ag&rc&nng u)

76

reasonable v«ilue expected I'or usc oi'the ideas,

27

40.
Llt

111vcilt(11

'1

pi'csciltcd

[)ci'ccniagc of

f&'«1'i(i(&ed 01'1 'Lhc

pi'cscniii1g oli Lhc show "0111g
01

«111

siilcs

shovv:

l(31'(( «0'ck

«uid

01 '1ny
I

other

i

Le(its

IP's ultimate

manufactured

s«llc

of its 'I'V series

cash Ilovv Irom thc 'I'V series 'ind ten times cash Iloiv I'or the sale ol its
11s Bpf).

011

1hc

I

hc wc13site con1p«ulv woii!0 have

show.

11

of the toys

ol'1 11s

wcb.'itic thc

Bii'111g&

Bnd inventors buildin«& the toys,

v'ould have sales Blld co-131'Bnding with oth(n

Bise

business transaction only alter Mattel voluntainly accepted the disclosuisc ol' II's id( is bv

th«it

I

«1

thc sho&v; value of product and

percentage

rcvcnuc lrom spinoITs and sequclsi

B

IP pi&epare&1 the presentation for thc meeting with ivlattel. disclosed thc work 1o ivlattc!

I

«i

01

toys rclatcd to the series.

thc (11cctiiig knowing thc coiidlitioiis

IP wBs I!11el'0101311cd by iMattcl thai

1'I

011

w'hich thc iclcas wci'c tel)de(&eel

w«is not

gonig to

1110vc foi'w«u'd

1111CI

thi:

with thc project

time because Mattcl had a poor linancial period, but v&ould Ict IP know when thi(1(',s
I

 ]

chcu1gccl.

Despltcihc Bgi'ecn1cn1. Ma'ttcl pl'oniptly nlovccf

41.
3

although

I

II

haS bCCB CfcurlagCd

proceeded with

11

/'/(Iy777((kr

bCCBLISC
7.»

Mat tCI

w'iil'ioLII

hclS

noi gonC

lol'V&'cu'CI VViih

I

II

.

BS 171'001ISCCI„

and took I IP s Ideas in breach of thc iigrecmcnt.

entitled to thc compensation that Mattel agreccl

II

lhc project

notifying I-ll'aid in bl'cclch of thc clgl'ecnlcnt wl1hoii1 con1pcnsating I IP.
42,

7

folnv&11'ci 'Lvlth

I

II's

I-II'ould rcccive if the 17rojcct moved forward„

including without limit&ltion a percentage of thc show s profits, sponsorship rcveniie. intcgrii1ion

'ccs. Iccbilte IccvcnL!c& intel'national stiles of loi'nlats Bncf Iiipcs, B pcl'ccn1age of all sales associated

(I

v ith the winning toy I'I'onl evci'v scBson clncl oihet'10vs

fca1LB&ccl

on 1hc sho'(v,

(I

pcl'ccniBgc of

10

ownL'I'ship ol 1hc 13Llsnlcss ol eacl'I nlvcnL01''ll'csci'Iinlg on lhc shoiv

L!on'i!&

revenue h'on1

fol"Lvai'cl.

11

splnoffs,
13

&ll'ICI

cuiV

B

c'll

f

let'cei'Itclgc

of websilc/c'lpp

I'c'vcnLIc Bncl 1hc. veil(le

(I&'or

43.

16
I

7

pa!'Bgl"clphs

44.

s LIIIIB1cltc

sale of i1s

I

V

scrics

fihcltCCI '(VC17SILC Bn(f/Or clPP.

PIICST CAUSE
15

of I IP

ACTION

Breach of Implied Contract Against Mattcl, and Does
I

I

OI&

IP rc"clllcg&"s hei'cln

ihi'oilgh 42, inclusive,
I

fary

Ibis lceici'&'ncc each

Lil1cf

cvcl'v

of'his Complaint Bs if'ully sct

I

through

Ill Ice'&luon

10)

cont(1(ncd in

I'orth hci&cin.

IP caid MB11cl entered into Bn clgi'ceirlc;nt whcl'cby I-IP confidentially disclosed the

/'/ciynm/(ei» concept to Mattel in exchang&c I'or Ma1tel's promise 1ha1 it would participate

csclusivcly with IIP

if Mattcl

dccidcd io move foi'wcu'cl vvith ihe P/(Iyiiin/(e(» concept or any

01hcl'lnlilca'oncc[71,
45,

22

Mattel voluntcn ily Bccep1cd thc disclosure knowing thc conchtion on which

It

was

tel!dered.
46.

I

II'!Iso disclosed thc work

rccclvulg cci'icon conlPcns&ltlon,
1

77

Bs

to Maitel under thc condition ol confidentiality Bnd

scl foi'th clbovc, foi'cu'tlclPcltlon on lhc Pl'olcc1

onl)&

lvlth I IP.

hc I'casonablc valLIC ol I IP s conlPcnscliion was discussed in detail.

47.

Al'tcr reaching lhc

concept to Mattel.

BL&I'cen1cnt. I'cg&ll'ding

disclosure. III'resented ihc P/(Iy(iiuke(»

 kl'lows thc I'casollcllllc valllc

of the

48.

ivlcll'Lcl

49.

ivlaucl breached thc agreement and flulccl

«greCmCnt, SpCCIIICally uaing

I

ll'S

I'lay&iluket'S

lvoifc pl'cscntccl by I-IP.

perform its oblig&ations under thc

Lo

BOCI uliCICI'LBI(ln«&

IhC I'Itn&lllttkel'S PI'OICC'I With

luiothcr ns 7'lie 'I'bi I30».
50.

I

hc bl'caches lly IMclttcl ca(Ised

I-II'amages in all

Billolnlt ill excess of llic

CCLII"L

s

general jurisdiction. to be proven at thc time of trial. Such damages include without limitation a

pcrccntagc of thc show's profits. sponsorship revenue, integl'cltlclrl fees, I'cbBtc fcvcilLIc,
g&

hltcfnailoliill scllcs of loi'111ats

()

firom every season and

10

cll10 'Lclpcs. cl pcl'cei1lcl'&c

other toys I'caturcd on

business ol'each inventor

prcscntin&& on

of'all

!Icllcs llssoclcated

with

Lhc

winning

Loy

sho(v. a percentage of'0(sncrship ol'thc

Lhc

thc shov'&oing I'orward, rcl&cnue Irom spinolls& a

percentage of wcbsitc/app revenue, and the value of I IP

s

ultimate sale

of'ts 1'V series and

any

12

aITiliatCd Webaite &lnCI/Oi'lpp. SOCh

13

millions ol dollars and in excess o!'hc jurisdictional minimum of'his court to be dctcrminccl at

14

Ll'i«i.

(I&or

16

20
71

22

52.

I)rclich of Confidence Against I&attcl aud Docs

IIP re-allcges herein by this rcf'crence each

51.

paragraphs
19

CStini«lted tO be hundrCdS Ol

SECOIVII) CAUSIL OP AC"I'ION

15

17

ClcuTIBgCS chic ll'I cli'I c!1110unt

I

cl'cl'v clllcglitlol1 coiltclhlcd in

through 50, inclusive, of this Complaint as if fully sct forth hcrcin.
After

I'c&lchll1g Lhc

novel inl'oirnalion to Mat tel
53.

'clllcl

I throu&gh III)

agl'ccillcl'll I'(.'gall'ding disclosure.

rcg&ardin«&

thc I'lttiiiitlket s show

Mattel hncvv 'lh«t thc lnlornlcltlol'I

«1I70(IL

I

II'onveyed conliclcniial

cu1d

I'ol'n'I&IL.

I Itil&III(litt I'.~

Lvcls

being disclosed in

conf idcncc and only in exchange for Mattcl&s participating in Ploi Iaolcet » and that Isfiattcf could
not usc I'I(II&nitiket » without I IP.
54.

nlaintcllnccl cvcl1 il Mclucl chose

26
77

2g

55.

I-II'nd Mllttel that thc conlidcncc bc

'I'herc wcis an agrccmcnt llctwccn
1101 10

pal'llclpaic

Mattcl's disclosure io others and

ill

usc.

I'lttillittkc I s.

ol'hc I'I(0 tool(et s

fol nlcll ciiicl

I

ll's idccis

withouL I-IP is a violation of thc ag&rccment with I IP.

56.

'I'hc breaches by Mattcl caused I IP clamag&cs in an amount in excess of'the Court's

ii
COivti&L.IVII«I'1

 f

gCIICI'cll JLB'ISdlCtlon,

lo bL'il'OVCn

ol'he sliow

pclcclitagc

s

thC llliiC Ol ll1r'll. SLICli dan1&li'CS lnCIu(IC W'lthoul lllili'Lc'itioli

cit

cl

pl'ollis, sponsol'slilp I'evcnL(c, n1tcgl'cltion fees. rebcltc I'cvcnlic,

ilitci'ncltlonill sales

of lol'n1ciLs

fl'onl evcl'v scllsoii

&ln(I

cul(I

tapes,

pci'ccntagc of all sillcs clssociatcd with tftc winning& toy

B

0'tl'icl'oys fcatul'c(1

01'I 'Lhe

sflov',

B

pcrccnLage

01

ot'hc

ovvlicl'ship

business of each inventor presenting on thc show going I'orward, revenue I'rom spinolls„cl
ol

pCI'CCIILBgC

&'&'CbsllC/clf'Ip

ill .

7

Bf

Illicit("(I '&vcbsitc

leven(lc, caid thC

lul(f/ol'lpp.

VcllilC Ol

I

ll

.'I

Llltui1BLC s&IIC Of IIS

SLlcli clBniagcs cll'0 ln IBI «u110Lult

csilliilncd

I

Lo I'ic

V

SC11CS

Bnd cuiy

l1(uiclicds of

Iilillions of dollars and in excess of the jurisdictional minimum ot this cour! to be determined at
9

Ll'1

TPHIZD CAUSE Ol" ACTIOIVI

10

(I(or Ir raud Against Mattcl and Docs
57.

12
]

"&

I

parr'!glclphs

fl''c-allegcs hcrcin by this rcf'ci'cncc each

15

liiccting with IIP.

I Li

fol111BI caid

golllg

Mcl'Ltel

internally dccidcd that it was going to move forward

Lo

do so wllllout
Lo

111

bclicvc that

ostensibly moving forward with
ILI(lsLui, In

Mattcl, holvcveln col'Icc'Bled

.

it

lt!I

B

television

I

IV,

Ilitclillon fl'onl I IP clod

still intend(.'d to procccd with Ill

I,atcr on in September 2014, after the Scptcmbcr

59.

I

wit11

5

pl'0)cci. Lllat wrls so siii1ilcu 10 /'/(IJ&liinf&(.l's cls lo dli'ccilv c(iliipctc vvith it. bui that it

alTlrmativcly Ic(I HV
19

Bnd cvcl'v allcgB&ioli conLilincd in

Upon lnfol'l11KLloli olid belief', in or around September 2014, after thc September

5g.

&vcls

throu&&h 10)

through 56. inclusive, of'this Complaint as il'&ully sct forth herein.

I

14

17

I

at. a

later date.

5 M&."cting an&!

while lvlattcl was

Mattcl sct a mccting with a production company called

Scptcliiber 2014. Mattcl met with I-ludsun. Upon information and bclicl'. at that

meeting with I ludson in September 2014. I ludsun and IMattel discussed a relilily-flased tclcvlsion
show concept that was similar

f'/(Iyninf&ei s.

IJpon inl'ol'I'lirltion and belief, in ol'u'0Lincl ScpLclrlbcr 2014, I ludson and Mattcl

60.

24

Lo

discussed getting the reality-television concept uito (Ievefopnlcnt
261

lnfoi111cltloii cu'ld belief; by late

with
2

I'or
&g&

ll

I'clif lty

Mcittcl

.

September 2014,

telcvisioli pl'0JecL (liat was sllilllclr

M&lncl
Lo

I&

soon
11

cLs

possible,"

L.A IN'I'

I

Jf'Ion

waiited lo nlovc fol'wcu'd

hll'c I fildson to (Icvclo f'I

going to move I'orv'ard with

LZ

00 M

decided that

/ /(0'II&(I/((Ill Blid

Li 1(clvisc. Ma(tel decided that it wcis not

Bs

I

I

V

s«101c

 61.

Upon inl'ormation and belief. Mattel believed thai

that (vcrc similar in nature to I'l(IJ&nI(ikei» could co-cxis1,
«

hei icl; Mattcl decided thai

4

Lmd/or another toy

i1

iL

wcls Lnllikely then tvvo she&vs

Accolzling&ly&

upon information cuid

wanted to move forivard quickly bccausc it was colicclT(cd

Lb&it

I

IP

company/competitor v ould heat Mattel to market with a similar television

shov;. Upon inf'()rmation and belief; Ma(tel decided that it would beat I IP to nicu lect.
62.

LJpon inf'ormation and belief; in or an&und

101131111 clgl'CCO3013'I V&1th I I

udSLB'I Iiolclt&.'0 10

a I'Call

IV ShoV&

carly'015. Mattel

that

WcLS

So

cnteiied into

Sun(leo'0 I

11

/((J'ni(ik(&&i&'S Lo

compctc v ith it. Under this agrccmcnt, IMattel hired and paid I ludsun to dcvclop for IMattef thc
show that ul1imately became The
63.

10

7bi& /303c

Upon inlormation and bclicf; IMattcl&s stratcg3 (vas to mislead

continued intcres1 in working& with I IP on

PI(IJ&nl(ik(&I»

while simultaneously

I

II'bout Mattcl

moving&

forward

12

with anoLhcr production company on a con1peti1ive project tiiat Mattel was going to hnance.

13

Misleading 111'n this manner would allow Mattcl to get a head start on l-ll'lnd bccit I IP to
I

ii il I'C

C

I

.

634.
I

17

s

I&ven

though Mattcl had dccidcd to move forward

ll', Matlcl coiilinllcd Ils cliscLIsslons wltli

particular, in Scptcmber 2014.

Bl'0LBIcl

I ()

representative. about

20

I-ludsun and nol I IP, I&orchek continued

71

NOvcl11bcr 2014 cll30ut

22

I.ongarzo (or anyone else at

23

conlpany

24

conversations

Pl(II&n&ake&.».

/ I(IJviiclk(.&((.

about nlovni!'o! wal'0

th(.'alilc lln1c

continued discilssions

Lvlih I I(lds(n1„Kolcl3ek

On a

I II

Lhcu

Mattcl

11ad

I

ludsun rather than (vith
I I(i'vni(l/(('i(i. In

v&iih

dccidcd to move I'or(vilrd

wi'Lli .JcITy L011g(ilz&3, cui I-IP

business af llurs

After Mattcl decided that it wanted to move f'orward with
1o speal&

to I-ll" s I,ong&arzo in September, October, and

At no ui'Ilc clul'nig 'il'Iosf'onvei'S(itious did Mclttcf

111'J thcit it

c(cl'ell

had decided to move I'onward with another production

'television show that v'cls slnlllal'10
&iid

Lvith

Pin('In&in(k(&',\1

At no

'Linic

din'Illg 1!iose

Matte! cvcr tell I.ongarzo for anyone else at I-II') t!1at it ha(J decided not to

Iliovc loinv«u'd with HP.
65.

26

In fate

Scptcn113cl'014, alter iMattel had dccidcd to move Ibrvvard with ludsun to
I

27

dcvclof3 thc I'callty Lclcvision shovv fcu1d noi lilovc loliwal'cl iviih

28

I

lerricl&. rcachcd out to

I

II I,

I

II

s

1311130113«1,

Mattcl's I lollie I-lolmcs. On October 14, I lcrrick again
is
COMI&LAIÃ1'

J&for(on

i&cached out io

 Maltcl's I lolmes in order Lo try
nlovlng fol'lvBI'd lvlth
pal'Llclf')QLc

4

set

Lo

111'. I&all)Of.

since hc wcls

I'Ln'u1tng

cl

cllll,

I

sh(.'c'L Lhc

lolmc s did not tell I lerrick that Mattcl was not
cell Bncl

Lc&lcl I

1

lcITlck that shc lvant&'d I&orcflck lo

point on llicsc type ol oppot'ILlilitlc:s li'onl

cl

Maucl

f)L'I'SpCCtlvC,

In ol'u'0Ltncl Ocu)L&el't)cf/of cal'ly

66.

November 2014& I lerrick and J.onaarzo spoke

with I lolmes and Icorchck about /'/cr»mcrkers several times by telephone. During one telcphonc
cail during that time period, Mattel's I-lolmes informed I IP thtlt it was not

with the

Pin& mu/&er.

would Ict
i Ij

I

IV

project al that time because: Matt

I

ha(1 a

to move I'orward

going&

poor llnancial period. bul she

I(now when things changed. Ilolmes told Ill)us I lcrrick during that phone

convct'set(ton tl'lat MBttcl

vvcls

sllll intel'cstccl

n1

nloving

fol'wcu'c!

with

Ployrrrcrkc&r's, bitt Lhc tlnltnL',

currently was not right. In thai conversation, Ilolmes encouragecl I-fl" s I lerrick lo follow up with
IZ

Mattel in

B

JCW

Biol'lths. Dul'lng Qnolhcl'honC Call during thc same time period, JV!Bttcj's

Ieofcl)CI( nl&lcfc sinu laf !Itcltcnlcn'Ls
I

Lo I

Otlgclf)'.0, I ll

's bllsulcss QJIalfs I'cpl cscntcltl vc. conln'n1ulg

lolmi:s's position. In particular, Iforchcf( rcitcratc:d that Mattel was not

with

Lhc /'/rrl&mn/re&s

to move I'orv,ard

going&

project at that time because JMattcl had a poor financial period,

POICntlallY JclCnlg lclYOJJS,

culCI

SnlCC PaftlCIPcltulg ul

LCICVJSion SCI'ICS Wtla

B

nol

it

Pcu'I Oi

was

Mauel'S

core or primary business, such an expcnlditure would be pcrccived as inappropriate while it v as
&&

I

(&

gtj

capel'tet)clog ln'l&1nclal clllllcLiltics. Rgcun,
Jell

anyone at

I

IV

that it

hclc!

tulle

cfLJI'ulg

lhosc convcfsatlc)ns

clicl

Maltcl cvct'

clccidcd to move lorward with another production company on a

Lc."Icvlston sftow so sin)i l'll'O P/cr»777(rlc('.I"

t's

Lo

cltl'ectly con1pclc w'1th

/ /u»mn/cer's.

Scvcral months later, in April 2015, llerrick again rcachecl out to Mattcl's lfolmes

67.

21

Bt I'Io

about P/nyrnrrker s. Again, at no time during those conversations did Mattcl ever lell anyone clsc
at l-ll'h'clt It hllcl dcclcfc(1 lo nlovc Iot'wcu'cl with lulothct'l'oc!Llclton col'I'lpculy on

')6)

'lvBs BOL

/'/cr I&nrcr/cer s as to directly compclc vvith P/uynruker s.

hl slu11. Ivlattc! I'cpl'cscnti'ci

68.

)5

Lo

going

Lo

nlovc lol'w'll'ci wlLh

that it v'as still interested in
ng

nol

I'lg&ht,

I

tclcvlston show

movin&&

Lhc

Lo I

IP lhat a pool' Bleu)clcl! Pci'Iod cvas

/ /n»7770/cc.r"s pl'ofcct QL that Llnlc. Maltel

forward with /'/u»makers in

Lhe fulure&

Ll'lc

&'ilso

but thc

I'eclson lt

I'cpi'cscnlcd

liming&

was

loi'4

that was so s in)i far

«I

I'lose lePfcsct)tcltiot)(sj by MBILcl wcl'c fillsc, SPcclilc&'IJIY, Lhc

OOML&Lrcitci'r

PLB'POI"Lccl Icc&lson

 n01 nioVlng lol'Will'CI With thC pl'OJCCL

ln1cl'csIccl in nioving& fol'wal'cl with
10

4

nlovc

fol'v&'Ql'd

7 I(I)7&1(lkeI'»

with

I'l,

pi'o)f:c1 vvcls

l

V»QS IciISC QS WQS

IQ)&III(fkeI'» Qt

cl

IvlattCI&S reprCSentlitiOn thclt it Waa Still in

lcllcl'ale.

In fc«lhty, Maitel held clcclciccl nol

ivlol'covcis Ihc I'cdson thclt lVIattcl wns not n1oving fol'wcu'cl with lhc

nol'iccclusclt

wQs

cxpcflcnclng ln1anclal ciif1lculties. I&athcr«Mcntcl

hnd clccided lo move I'orward vvith a show that was so similar to I'ln17&ir(ker» as
6&

ConlpCLC Wilh Pl(IJ7&inkci'S, culCI WQS

So

with

S001COOC

directly

Othcl'hcul I IP.

At a minimum, Mattel, in particular Mat1cl's Holnlcs dnd 1&orchcl., disclosed

69.

7

donlg

10

some facts to HP about Mattel's decision not to n1ovc fol'weird with PloJ&ainkef», but Intentionally
failed to clisclosc other material
10
I

I

17

pal'tlcullu', Vilattcl cllsclosc.cl

with I'IP
Qncl

1(i

I

tln1c. but Icillc(1

Bt. Lhclt

had clcciclcc! Instf'Qcl

I'«lcLs, nlcil&ing Mcltic'.I s

II, lln10ng 01hcl'hings, thc
10 CIISClosc 10

pi'occccl lvllh

10

stlllcl'11en110 I IP extremely deceptive.

B

I

II lhclt li h'cld

IBc1 lhclt it clid

not intcnrl to procccd

dccidC(1 001 10 pl'ocf:Cd v(ith I ll

conipeilnr& show '(vith

Q

I

c&

stclicnl(.'nis 10 nilol'n1

conlpf:iilivc
17

70.

I

II'hai

lt held

20
2

I

hclcl

cl

MBLLCI

cluty Bl'Ishlg fl'oi'll 1hesc

Lo Pl(IJ711(IkeI(&c
I

IP did not I&now that M'lucl wcls nlovlng loi'v(al'd ivlih

cl

sl'lolv tha1 lvns

l'l(IJ&I&7(Ilcci'»l. LB1rl

was doing so

with sonlconc othel'hBO I IP.
71.

IMclt1cl,

ln pal"llculal' loh11cs

I'nlsc when they werc made to IIP.

«LU1cl

Ikorcltel&, kncv'h«11 ihc I'cpl'csentc1110ns welve

'I'liat is. I lolmcs and Irorcitel& l&nclv thc truth

—

ihnt Mattel

27

lvas niovnlg

'13

with somconc other than I IP, and that Mattcl*s purported linancial constraints »vere not the

Q

pl'elect 'ihnt wcls con1p(.'Lli ivc with l lnJ Inclk(I'», Lltat

72.

iVIQLLCI

intended to dcccive

I-IP

rcprcscntation. Specilically, Mnttcl v'an1ed to
clctlons thclt woulcl dllow

73.

11

10 bcc11 MBL'Lcl

to

11

wcls

clou1g&

PlnJ&Bloke&I».

and intended that I-IP rely on its false
sLring&

I-IP along&

nial'1&et vvlth

l

and did not want

I

II'o tal&e

l(II&II)cfk('ill.

Hl'5

1orv&al'c! Vvlth

reason why Mattcl vvas not Inoving forwlird with

77

was

decided to proceed with someone else with a show that w;ls

compctitivc with Plnymnkei» (and may even have: been based on
I cJ

ai, Bll

cliITci'cnl, I'il'oclilcLIOO col)117any.

Mlittcl's rcprescntations were dcccptivc in that they created thc Ilalsc impression that
not proccccling& with a show like Playmaker» with culyol'Ie. Mat1cl

in

HP, in pal llclll'cu' le(riel&, i&casoncibly isdlicd on Mnttel's rr:presentation,

0 0 iv1 P LA L)«I'I'

I

hid

so

 knolv thc truth -- that Mattcl wcls ITlovil'Ig fol'wai'd wlIh a show so shrlilcu'0 /

/(IJ&217(Ikce5

directly compete with I'l(IJ'117(tkct'»r I IP could and would have moved morc swif'tfy to
/'1(IJ&717(tker»

brin&&

to market bcf'ore MIattcf'5 similar and competing shocv. As I'ar as I ll'&new& thcrc

wcl'c no conipc11101's dcvcloJilligi'rl sllililar show. Certainly& based on

4

as Io

had no reason to bclicvc that Mattcl was devc:loping&

B

IMBLLCJ's

competing show

rcprcscntation. III

tl'lcl1 vvcis «lt

least similar

to (if not bclscd oil) P/ctytttctlcet'5. Doing so would be entirely inconsistent v ith Mattel's
fcpl'csc'ntc11100 tliclt II was iiot

pci'lod. hi Bdcli'tioli
()

I

Iilniccl1&l'Lcl) 'Lalccn

74.

I

777e 7'o)&/3ox
I

Lo

I

75.

4

11'L11h

vvcls

&1

lnovilig Iiloi'c swlltly to bca1 Mattcl

ormal egal
I

IV v'&us

Shows
111

S

tlir'lt wcicc

7

1

on Bgru nst

ih

(1

pool lnlaliclcll

01Brkct. Hl would liave

I!'IBL IMIHILCJ

c'cltlsnl~&&

S

I

10

bccl'I

l

lctl&112(tlc(.'I".i

nliSI'Cpl'CSCIILclLIOIIS cuilf
II

I

ll to lil&ll'lect

culcf

Mclttcl

S

sllilpl)'clnnot co-c'xisl.
Mattef

S

COIICCahnCHI 01 LhC

hai'ni.

I.ll'lso scckS CXCIilf)lcu')'lclinclgcS Bg'clnlst
l~"OUIZTH CAUSI&r

(i&or

10

cxpcl'Iclicnlg

Iattcl.

slniilBI'n natin'0

I'ChBIICC Oli Mcatlcl

!6
f

cic 1

lial liiCCJ b)'MHLLCI s fi"lud ln

sLlbsIantial lactol ui

76.

16

Iol'vvlu'ci bccBLisc !I v "cls

piccvenIed IIP from moving& I'orward with Plnynutker» and earning iccvenues I&0!atcd

lctJ&111cll&et'5.

13
I

I

&

JO

I

10

nlovnig

Mclucl fol'LS HIICiitlonill

h'BLICI.

Olr'CTIOlil

Misappropriation of Trade Secrets under CUTSA Against Mattcl and Does

I

through

10)
I

77.

')

par&igraphs

78.

21

I I

I

I''0-cillCgCS hCI'Cin bV IhiS

through 76. Inclusive. 0'this Complaint as
I

1

if

fully sct forth hcreili.

IP owns tra&fc scci&cts relatin to Ihc P/0) atolcet» I'ormat. including but not hmii d

io details reg&ending how the
-&

rCICI'C!ICC Cr'ICh BHCI CVCI'y BIICgclLIOB ColitcliliCd iii

I'/ct)&mctket » sho'&v erin

be pl'oclilccd

10

the

vic&vin&&

pllbhC,
79.

I

II'erive:d actual or pote:ntial indepcndcnt economic value

trade sccrcts and f'rom its tr'idc secre:Is not being generally known.
I'lcti molcet 5 traclc scc:rcts in tlic

27

pl'csclitccl

rut&i

tcfcvision program.

I-IV

f1&1st 10 bc&&hi Ll'ic

I

I)rom thc use

of its

JP has usc(l these

pl'oc&ss of niovhlg lolnvai'cl with a rcaliIy

undertook reasonable efforts to protect thc confidentiality of its trade

secrets, including by permitting Dilly limited access to thcsc trade sccrcts in conlidential settings.
16
COMI&I.&VII&IT

 80.

WiIhoLIL

I

II'

cILilhnl'ixcllinn

cu1CI

In Violcltinn Ol thC 101]')I ICCI Bgi&CCI'i)Cnl

obligatinns 0)vcd to I IP. Ivialtel misapproprialed

I

culC!

ll's lradc secrets by using and/or disclosing

those trade secrets to dcvclop and/or produce its own con113eting television show called 7'he 7'o»
j

minimum, Matlel lolew Lhclt it was induslry-slandard that such information was

/3ox, Al 'I

cnnlidential 'u)d could not bc used or disclosed without 111's participation and consent.
81.

I

IP did nnt allow Mattcl tn usc its trade secret inform'itinn in connection with a

competing television shoiv Bnd without

I

II's participation,

i)flattcl

knev'r should have kno)vn

that it acquired knowledg&e of ill's ti'cide sccicts under a duty ol'nnn-disclosure and
conliclcnli&llitv.
10

thill usc

01 sLIch Infoi111cltinn

wo(ilcl cnnstit(itc d bl'ccich 01 conf lcfcnlicility

owed to I IP.

Mattcl's 01isappl'opl'ialion ol'IIP's

82.
12

cu1cl

ti'cldc

secrets is in violation of'Calif'nrnia Civil

Cocle Section .)426 cl sc(1.

Mallei's use and/or disclosure ol' IP's trade secrets has damaged and caused

13

83.

14

BTCP'ru'clblC

15

84.

haI1n

10

I

IP.

Upon inl'ormalion and bcliel; Mattel's misapprnprialion has bccn willi'ul and

malicious. Notably. Maucl ivas deceptive and frriiidLilcnl in its intel'clclions with
17

so(lght to cl'crit&'thc fcllsc ul)pi'cssinn

thBL

11

'(vas not niovil'ig& foi'vval'cl ivllh

consti'rlints, wl'life in reality, it '(vas n10vii)r& forlvalcl vvilh
so ul 0I'clci lo bcclt

19

chef

20

cntitlcd to

21

22

Dn clwcu'cl

I

I

damag&es pursuant to

lclintiff Praya

II'nd actively

II dLIc 10 fnlculcicl!

I

conlf3cting LL'Icvisinn show. M;lttel

ll'o n)cu'kcl ivILh Lhc con)pclulg Lclcvision shoiv.

of exemplary

WI IL'.Rf',ICOII.I'.',

B

I

I

l)crcinl'c'..

I

II's

California Civil CodeScctions 3426.3icf.

I'Or judg&ment u1 itS I'&(vol'u'ill &1gclin.'it 17cpc11d&altts, BI'Icl I'BCh

of'hem, as I'nllows:
ON 'I'IIE ICIRST CAUSI&; OI AC'I'IOIN
1.

pi'oven dl thc

I&nr d(u11cl
11111c

cs In

«O'I

ru110LB11

In excess ol lhc

C(3LBL

s gcncl'Bl jurisdiction. to bc

of ti'lcil;

75
2,

I

or pre-judgn1cnl inLercst at the maxint(ull

26
1&or

27
4.
28

I'Bte

permitted by law;

thc costs of suit incurred herein: Bnd

I&oi'LIch otftcr Bncl fLB'thcl''elicl'as this Court may deem just

«u1cl

pl'opels

 ON THI". SECOND CAUSE OF ACTION
I

1.

Fol'lairlagcs

il'I

an BnloLuri

II'I

excess of the Court's general jurisdiction, to bc

2

pi'oven

Bt

the time ol trial,

3

2.

For prc-) udg&ment lntcrcst at the maximum rale permitted by law;

3.

!'OI'hc costs ol'suit incun&cd herein: Slid

4.

I'or such other and further rclicf as this Court may deem just and proper.

5

6

ON THI'. THIRD CAUSli." OF ACTION

I'or damages in an amount in excess of the Court's gcncral jurisdiction, kl be
)

pl'oven

Bt

thc tulle ol t!'Ial;

10

2.

I'l'xcnlpl ary &encl

11

2.

I(or prc-judglncnt interest at thc I'nilxlnlLB11 rate I'Iei'nlitted by law:

piull'tive dBnlagcs:

I'or tile costs ol'suit incurred herein; and

17

4.

13

For such other and I'urther relief as this Court may deem just Bnd proper.

THE FOURTH CAUSE OF AC'I'ION

15

I'ol'ani'lgics ul

I,'N

16

171'oven

17

lg

&'ll.

Qn

'allo(ult ul cxccss oi Ihc

C

o(u't s gcl'lcl"11 j(u'lsdlctfon. Io bc

lhc tlnlc ol tl'ial;

2.

I'or rcslltLitlon and disgol'gcnlcnt of I'cv('OLlcs encl pi'ellis In

3.

For payment of a royalty lor 1hc Mattel's usc of Ill's trade secrets;

Bin(CLul'ts to

bc proven

Bt tl'1 a

70

l&or

72

treble damages as provided for by statute for (villi'ul Bnd malicious conduct;

5.

I'or prc-judg&menl interest

6.

!'r an award of attorneys'ees and cosl of suit to the extent permitted bv IBw: Bn(1

Lit

thc maximum rate pcrmittcd by lav

24
26

26

///
///
I

&S

COMt&L&VIN'I'

 I'or such other rind I'urthcr relief'as the Court decisis inst allcl pl'opcl'.

7.
2

I)atc: .Iuly

'.-

.

2019

I'RI',I I)iVIAN + 'I'AI'I'li1.iVIAN,

I.i,l'ZAINI:.S
I'I:.I.MAN I.I,I'

Bryalt I'eed111a!1
!Attorneys for Plaintiif Herricl( productions, I.I.C

10

12
13

15

16

17

20
21

22

25

26
27

19

COMPLAIN'I'