My colleagues are busy writing about molestation trials and political lawsuits, but let’s talk about something completely different: Barbie vs. Bratz.

Yes, dolls. Manufacturers of the classic Barbie and the skimpier-clad, attitude-laden Bratz dolls are in court in Riverside in a battle over copyright infringement.

Barbie-maker Mattel Inc. is claiming that the creator of Bratz was a Barbie designer employed by Mattel when he came up with the idea. The object in question might be a bit on the fluffy side, but the case is serious. It involves millions in sales, workplace issues that apply to many creative workers and evidence such as forensic studies of sketchpads and suspicious employees followed by private investigators.