About three years ago, my little cousin asked me if I would buy her a Bratz doll for her 10th birthday.

Up until this point, I wasn’t really aware of the toy maker or the concept behind this particular breed of plastics dolls, so I readily agreed and trekked to Target to get my precious relative her desired gift.

Upon reaching the aisle where the Bratz dolls resided, my jaw immediately hit the ground. Each doll reeks of a certain unpleasant hoe essence that’s completely inappropriate for young girls. They come equipped with  bad tans, lots of makeup, platform sandals, mini skirts, and see-through numbers.

But even worse than this, Bratz is crushing Barbie right now. And no. I don’t think Barbie is much better, either. But at least Mattel never outfitted her in gold lame and put a belly button ring on her. Sad indeed.

However, Mattel isn’t taking this minor defeat lightly. In fact, the toy giant is suing Bratz for stealing the idea for the doll. Apparently, the maker of the “pouty-lipped” toys came up with the concept while he was still employed by Mattel.

The Wall Street Journal has created this audio slideshow more accurately explaining the circumstances surrounding the lawsuit. Scandalous!