Donna Douglas is Suing Toy Manufacturer Mattel Over An "Elly May" Barbie Doll - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Brian Damage · 05-07-2011, 04:12 PM

NEW ORLEANS — The actress who played Elly May Clampett on the television show “The Beverly Hillbillies” is suing toy manufacturer Mattel Inc., claiming the company used her name and likeness for a Barbie doll without her authorization.

The federal suit filed Wednesday in Baton Rouge, La., says packaging for the “Elly May” Barbie doll features a photo of Donna Douglas portraying the character. Douglas, 77, says she never endorsed the doll or gave Mattel permission to use her name to promote its sale before they introduced the doll in December 2010.

From 1962 to 1971, Douglas appeared in all 274 episodes of the CBS comedy show about a poor family that moves to Beverly Hills after striking oil on their land.

A Mattel spokeswoman didn’t immediately respond to a call and e-mail seeking comment.

Douglas lives in Zachary, near Baton Rouge, and continues to make public appearances and speaking engagements in connection with the show, according to one of her attorneys, Charles von Simson. AP

http://www.suntimes.com/entertainmen...ay-barbie.html

Marvo301 · 05-07-2011, 04:21 PM

Mattel is just lucky she didn't show up at their head office totin a shotgun and sickin all her critters on em!!!!

catlover79 · 05-07-2011, 06:29 PM

gidgetgrape · 05-08-2011, 08:35 AM

I purchased the "I Dream of Jeannie" and "The Beverly Hillbillies" Barbie Dolls. I noticed something interesting about them. On the side panels of the Jeannie doll, there are photographs of Barbara Eden (in costume) with the words "Starring Barbara Eden" underneath. On the side panels of the Hillbillies doll, there are photographs of Donna Douglas, but the titles state "Elly May." I'm thinking that maybe Mattel only purchased rights to the character. I think Ms. Douglas may have a case since they used her photograph to promote the doll.

old grouch · 05-08-2011, 10:06 AM

I don't blame her one bit for suing. I hope she wins her case. (But that Elly May Barbie is awfully cute.)

lucyandethel · 05-09-2011, 12:17 AM

The cast of Happy Days is suing CBS/Paramount over the use of their likeness as well. It really is a very difficult thing....are they using Donna Douglas or the character of Elly May which likely is copyrighted and owned by another entity.

TeeVeeCloset · 05-09-2011, 10:19 AM

I too purchased the three TV related Barbies when they came out in December...Jeannie, Bewitched & Hillbillies....the first two have been promoted and there must now be at least 5 different jeannie/bewitched dolls from "trendmasters" to "exclusve premiere" toy companies over the last 40 years. I am a collector of TV memorabilia, so I am a sucker for such things, even being a male. But as for her likeness, they always pretty much have the barbie doll face, yes she is in her ellie may clothes and her name is mentioned. I do believe she has a case, they will either pay her off or withdraw the doll, so collector's get them now for $39.99 at most Toys R Us.

Don't forget the big famous Red swim suit Farrah with extreme likeness in scheduled for July! This is sure to be a giant hit for collectors.

Zoneboy · 05-09-2011, 10:31 AM

I wonder if Mattel will produce a Ken as Jethro doll.

catlover79 · 05-09-2011, 02:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zoneboy

I wonder if Mattel will produce a Ken as Jethro doll.

Now that's a scary thought.

James28 · 05-09-2011, 03:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brian Damage

Douglas, 77, says she never endorsed the doll or gave Mattel permission to use her name to promote its sale before they introduced the doll in December 2010.

Douglas would have done so anyway. And Elly May never wore open toe shoes onscreen.

comedyfreak · 08-09-2011, 08:42 AM

I hope she gets as much as she can since the cast didn't receive any residuals from the show, now some greedy company used her likeness without any compensation.

gopyle · 10-22-2011, 06:44 PM

Hard to blame her in this day and age. I'm not sure whether or not she has a case based on who owns the rights to her image and character, but she really should be given some consideration.

Brian Damage · 12-29-2011, 05:53 PM

NEW ORLEANS (AP) -- The actress who played Elly May Clampett on the "The Beverly Hillbillies," toymaker Mattel Inc. and CBS Consumer Products Inc. have settled a lawsuit that claimed the companies didn't get the actress' approval to use her name and likeness for a Barbie doll.

Donna Douglas played the critter-loving tomboy for nine seasons of the CBS television comedy about a backwoods family who strike oil and moves to Beverly Hills.

A one-sentence order Tuesday in U.S. District Court in Baton Rouge, La., said only that a settlement had been reached. Details of court settlements typically are kept private. However, Douglas' lawsuit sought compensation of at least $75,000.

In earlier filings, CBS and Mattel said they didn't need her approval because the network held exclusive rights to the character.

http://tv.msn.com/tv/article.aspx?news=692512&

comedyfreak · 01-01-2012, 05:33 PM

Good for her!!

lucyandethel · 01-02-2012, 02:32 AM

Depending on the terms of the settlement, I wonder if this means Mattel will now think twice about releasing these great limited edition Barbies? Like the Lucy dolls?

05-07-2011, 04:12 PM	#1
Brian Damage I'm Rich Bitch Forum Icon Join Date: Feb 03, 2002 Location: What Ain't No Country I Ever Heard Of...They Speak English in What? Posts: 63,107	Donna Douglas is Suing Toy Manufacturer Mattel Over An "Elly May" Barbie Doll NEW ORLEANS — The actress who played Elly May Clampett on the television show “The Beverly Hillbillies” is suing toy manufacturer Mattel Inc., claiming the company used her name and likeness for a Barbie doll without her authorization. The federal suit filed Wednesday in Baton Rouge, La., says packaging for the “Elly May” Barbie doll features a photo of Donna Douglas portraying the character. Douglas, 77, says she never endorsed the doll or gave Mattel permission to use her name to promote its sale before they introduced the doll in December 2010. From 1962 to 1971, Douglas appeared in all 274 episodes of the CBS comedy show about a poor family that moves to Beverly Hills after striking oil on their land. A Mattel spokeswoman didn’t immediately respond to a call and e-mail seeking comment. Douglas lives in Zachary, near Baton Rouge, and continues to make public appearances and speaking engagements in connection with the show, according to one of her attorneys, Charles von Simson. AP http://www.suntimes.com/entertainmen...ay-barbie.html
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05-07-2011, 04:21 PM	#2
Marvo301 I'm NOT a Blockhead! Forum Celebrity Join Date: May 17, 2002 Location: The Great White North Posts: 21,453	Mattel is just lucky she didn't show up at their head office totin a shotgun and sickin all her critters on em!!!!
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05-07-2011, 06:29 PM	#3
catlover79 God Bless Val Forum Addict Join Date: May 29, 2006 Location: Bewitched in Ohio Posts: 70,376
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05-09-2011, 10:19 AM	#7
TeeVeeCloset Member Senior Member Join Date: Aug 25, 2003 Posts: 1,873	I too purchased the three TV related Barbies when they came out in December...Jeannie, Bewitched & Hillbillies....the first two have been promoted and there must now be at least 5 different jeannie/bewitched dolls from "trendmasters" to "exclusve premiere" toy companies over the last 40 years. I am a collector of TV memorabilia, so I am a sucker for such things, even being a male. But as for her likeness, they always pretty much have the barbie doll face, yes she is in her ellie may clothes and her name is mentioned. I do believe she has a case, they will either pay her off or withdraw the doll, so collector's get them now for $39.99 at most Toys R Us. Don't forget the big famous Red swim suit Farrah with extreme likeness in scheduled for July! This is sure to be a giant hit for collectors.
	__________________ Living near "Ozzie Nelson Drive".....

05-09-2011, 10:31 AM	#8
Zoneboy RIP, I'LL NEVER FORGET YOU :( Moderator Forum Superstar Join Date: Jul 13, 2003 Location: AT HOME WISHING ALL THIS WAS JUST A DREAM AND THAT I'LL WAKE UP FROM THIS NIGHTMARE. Posts: 34,381	I wonder if Mattel will produce a Ken as Jethro doll.
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05-08-2011, 08:35 AM	#4
gidgetgrape Forever Gidget Forum 3000 Club Member Join Date: Sep 20, 2003 Location: Texas Posts: 3,503	I purchased the "I Dream of Jeannie" and "The Beverly Hillbillies" Barbie Dolls. I noticed something interesting about them. On the side panels of the Jeannie doll, there are photographs of Barbara Eden (in costume) with the words "Starring Barbara Eden" underneath. On the side panels of the Hillbillies doll, there are photographs of Donna Douglas, but the titles state "Elly May." I'm thinking that maybe Mattel only purchased rights to the character. I think Ms. Douglas may have a case since they used her photograph to promote the doll.

05-08-2011, 10:06 AM	#5
old grouch Member Senior Member Join Date: May 13, 2010 Location: montana Posts: 1,877	I don't blame her one bit for suing. I hope she wins her case. (But that Elly May Barbie is awfully cute.)

05-09-2011, 12:17 AM	#6
lucyandethel Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Dec 18, 2009 Location: Los Angeles CA Posts: 435	The cast of Happy Days is suing CBS/Paramount over the use of their likeness as well. It really is a very difficult thing....are they using Donna Douglas or the character of Elly May which likely is copyrighted and owned by another entity.

08-09-2011, 08:42 AM	#11
comedyfreak Cheers! Forum Fanatic Join Date: Dec 14, 2005 Location: Sunny California Posts: 11,059	I hope she gets as much as she can since the cast didn't receive any residuals from the show, now some greedy company used her likeness without any compensation.
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10-22-2011, 06:44 PM	#12
gopyle Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Oct 22, 2011 Posts: 235	Hard to blame her in this day and age. I'm not sure whether or not she has a case based on who owns the rights to her image and character, but she really should be given some consideration.

12-29-2011, 05:53 PM	#13
Brian Damage I'm Rich Bitch Forum Icon Join Date: Feb 03, 2002 Location: What Ain't No Country I Ever Heard Of...They Speak English in What? Posts: 63,107	Settlement reached in Elly May Clampett Barbie doll suit NEW ORLEANS (AP) -- The actress who played Elly May Clampett on the "The Beverly Hillbillies," toymaker Mattel Inc. and CBS Consumer Products Inc. have settled a lawsuit that claimed the companies didn't get the actress' approval to use her name and likeness for a Barbie doll. Donna Douglas played the critter-loving tomboy for nine seasons of the CBS television comedy about a backwoods family who strike oil and moves to Beverly Hills. A one-sentence order Tuesday in U.S. District Court in Baton Rouge, La., said only that a settlement had been reached. Details of court settlements typically are kept private. However, Douglas' lawsuit sought compensation of at least $75,000. In earlier filings, CBS and Mattel said they didn't need her approval because the network held exclusive rights to the character. http://tv.msn.com/tv/article.aspx?news=692512&

01-01-2012, 05:33 PM	#14
comedyfreak Cheers! Forum Fanatic Join Date: Dec 14, 2005 Location: Sunny California Posts: 11,059	Good for her!!

01-02-2012, 02:32 AM	#15
lucyandethel Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Dec 18, 2009 Location: Los Angeles CA Posts: 435	Depending on the terms of the settlement, I wonder if this means Mattel will now think twice about releasing these great limited edition Barbies? Like the Lucy dolls?