Blue Wasp/Grey Wasp/Splash NewsWith her electric wardrobe and bold fashion choices, Lady Gaga is a natural fit to be made into a doll.
But according to MGA Entertainment, the maker of Bratz dolls, Gaga's management firm dragged its feet when it came to approving a doll line made in the pop star's image.
In a lawsuit obtained by E! News, the company is seeking more than $10 million in damages. The lawsuit cites Gaga herself, her management company and Universal Music Group-owned firm Bravado International Group.
The complaint says that the Bratz doll makers agreed to produce dolls in Gaga's image in December 2011 and that Bravado (the merchandising firm) paid a $1 million fee and planned to ship the dolls to retailers before "the 2012 Christmas shopping season."
In April, however, Bravado told MGA that the 26-year-old singer "wanted to delay production and shipping until her new album is released in 2013."
Per the suit, MGA "agreed to an excessively generous royalty rate, invested millions into the pre-production of the Lady Gaga Dolls and put its reputation and goodwill on the line in order to secure distributors and retail shelf space..." The toy company also states in the suit that it "demands a trial by jury on all issues so triable."
Gaga's rep told E! News in a statement: "This is a dispute between Universal Music Group's merchandising company and MGA. There was no legitimate reason for MGA to drag Lady Gaga into that dispute. MGA today asked the judge to immediately require Lady Gaga to approve dolls which MGA wants to manufacture and distribute. Lady Gaga is pleased that the court refused to do so, and scheduled further proceedings on August 29. Lady Gaga will at that time ask the court to formally dismiss MGA's ill-conceived lawsuit and is confident that she will prevail."
Not exactly fun and games.
(Originally published at 10:16 a.m. PST)