As she prepares for her 50th anniversary, Barbie last week received an early birthday present that could make 2009 a good year for Mattel, in spite of the global economic slowdown, writes Matthew Garrahan in Los Angeles.

A long-running legal dispute between Mattel and one of its fiercest rivals was settled in Mattel's favour when a judge ruled that MGA should stop making and selling the Bratz line of dolls, potentially eliminating a competitor that has eaten into Barbie's US market share. The victory sent Mattel shares up almost 10 per cent.