Mattel faces class action lawsuit over pornographic URL on Wicked Doll packaging

It’s Not All Fun and Games for a Toymaker Mattelwho was hit by a class action Tuesday on a high-profile packaging error on dolls representing Universal Pictures characters Wicked.

The Poulin Willey Anastopoulo law firm filed suit in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California on behalf of South Carolina resident Holly Ricketson, who claimed she purchased a Wicked doll for her minor daughter around 11 November and that her daughter had used an iPhone. to access the URL on the packaging, which mistakenly led to a pornographic website instead of the film’s official website.

“Wicked.com pasted scenes from pornographic advertisements onto her phone screen,” the lawsuit states. “These scenes were hardcore, fully nude pornographic images depicting real sexual intercourse… The complainant’s minor daughter immediately showed the photographs to her mother, and both were horrified by what they saw.”

The suit also said Mattel does not offer refunds to people who purchased dolls with problematic packaging.

The error was noticed over the weekend of November 9-10, and Mattel said in a statement at the time: “We deeply regret this unfortunate error and are taking immediate steps to remedy it.” Parents are advised that the poorly printed and incorrect website is not suitable for children.

The company suggested parents throw away the packaging or hide the link.

The suit seeks “compensatory, statutory and punitive damages in an amount to be determined by the court and/or jury,” as well as payment of the plaintiff’s attorneys’ fees and expenses.

Wicked, which hit theaters on November 22, was a Goldmine of marketing collaboration for Universal Pictures, with Mattel joined by more than 400 brands including Béis, Betty Crocker, Crocs, Stanley, Starbucks and Target.

The film is directed by Jon M. Chu (Crazy Rich Asians) and stars Ariana Grande as Glinda and Cynthia Erivo as Elphaba.