Barbie was invented by Ruth Handler who is the co-founder of the toy manufacturing company Mattel. The first prototype of the doll was patented in 1961. The name 'Barbie', along with all versions of the famous logo, are protected with 23 registered trademarks in the European Union.
The intellectual property rights to Barbie have been the subject of multiple legal disputes. The most recent one concerned the design of the doll’s head. Until now, Mattel has successfully managed to secure its rights and protect the legacy of the Barbie creator.
As a matter of fact, Barbie's influence is not at all limited to the doll itself or to her clothing. She initiated a fashion trend which gained momentum under the name of 'Barbiecore'. Mattel registered a trademark for this term to protect its links with Barbie as an origin.
The brand has also secured its place in the online world via the registration of a large number of domain names that contain the word 'Barbie'.
The story of Barbie's success is an example of how effective strategies in the field of intellectual property rights protection can turn a doll into an established cultural icon.
