Mattel is facing a lawsuit from a mother who alleged that her child stumbled upon an inappropriate website due to a link printed on the packaging of dolls inspired by the film Wicked, which features performances by Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo.
The toy manufacturer expressed regret in November for what it termed an unfortunate mistake, having unintentionally included a link to an inappropriate website on the dolls' packaging. The correct web address is WickedMovie.com, but the link on the packaging omitted the word "movie."
According to reports, Holly Ricketson from South Carolina has taken legal action against Mattel, stating that her daughter accessed the unsuitable website after finding the link on the doll's packaging. Both mother and child were reportedly disturbed upon discovering content from the website.
The lawsuit describes the inclusion of the inappropriate web address as a significant error on Mattel's part, asserting that Ricketson would have refrained from purchasing the doll if she had been aware of the issue. Furthermore, it indicates that Mattel has not provided a refund to affected customers.
Mattel acknowledged the unfortunate printing error concerning the Wicked collection dolls, which are primarily marketed in the United States. They emphasized their intention to direct consumers to the official WickedMovie.com site. In their announcement, they conveyed regret for the oversight and noted that they are taking steps to rectify the situation. The company advised parents that the faulty link is inappropriate for young audiences and suggested that those who possess the product packaging should either discard it or conceal the link. Additionally, they encouraged customers seeking further assistance to reach out to customer service.
The film Wicked premiered on November 22 as part of a much-anticipated adaptation from the acclaimed stage production. It achieved remarkable success at the box office, accumulating a substantial $164.2 million globally over its opening weekend.