A mother in South Carolina is taking legal action against Mattel, alleging emotional distress after discovering a pornographic website address printed on the packaging of a doll intended for her daughter.
Mattel Faces Lawsuit Over Packaging Error on Wicked Dolls
Mattel Faces Lawsuit Over Packaging Error on Wicked Dolls
A South Carolina mother sues after discovering a porn site's address printed on a doll's packaging.
In a bizarre and distressing incident, a South Carolina mother, Holly Ricketson, has filed a lawsuit against the toy giant Mattel after a significant error in the packaging of its new Wicked dolls, which coincided with the release of the much-anticipated film adaptation of the musical. The lawsuit alleges that the packaging included a link to a pornographic website, causing substantial emotional distress for Ricketson and her daughter.
According to court documents, Ricketson purchased the doll for her daughter, who unwittingly accessed the adult site, resulting in a horrifying experience filled with "hardcore, full-on nude pornographic images." The mother claims this unfortunate incident has left both her and her daughter emotionally distressed.
Mattel has acknowledged the misprint, labeling it an "unfortunate error," and moved to recall the affected dolls while advising consumers to discard the incorrect packaging. However, Ricketson's lawsuit, filed on Tuesday, seeks $5 million in damages on behalf of all U.S. customers who purchased the misprinted dolls, arguing that they are now unfit for their intended purpose.
The lawsuit criticizes Mattel for negligence and claims violations of California consumer protection laws, stating that no refunds have been issued. Although Mattel has expressed regret over the situation, it's unclear how they will address the widespread issue.
The Wicked musical, which has captivated audiences since its Broadway debut in 2003, features top-tier performances by stars Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo in the recently released film adaptation. Despite the unfortunate packaging incident, the film has performed remarkably, grossing over $263 million in the U.S. and $360 million globally since its release.
As this situation unfolds, the implications for Mattel's brand and consumer trust echo throughout the toy industry.
