Andy Starnes, Post-Gazette photo illustration
	Bratz, top, and Barbie are battling it out in court after the makers of Bratz sued Mattel claiming the new My Scene Barbie, bottom, too closely resembles the Bratz dolls.

It's a doll-eat-doll world in Toyland these days.

Barbie, long the reigning queen of fashion dolls, is facing a stiff challenge in popularity from the Bratz, the pouty-lipped, fashion forward line of dolls introduced in 2000.

Barbie still had greater U.S. sales last year than Bratz -- $800 million compared with $600 million, according to industry experts. But Bratz has toppled Barbie from the popularity pedestal in Great Britain, and is on track to do the same here, some experts say.

Now Barbie and her maker, Mattel, are dueling in court with MGA Entertainment, creator of the Bratz. Mattel fired the first shot with a lawsuit against a former employee, claiming he developed the Bratz while still working for Mattel.

MGA has fired back with a lawsuit against Mattel, charging the Barbie maker with unfair competition. MGA contends that Mattel created a line of Barbie called My Scene that was a direct copy of Bratz.

Meanwhile, both dolls may be fighting -- at least temporarily -- for a smaller share of the market, said Jim Silver, a toy industry expert and publisher of Toy Wishes magazine.

"For a few years, the overall doll market was up. But this year, they (Barbie and Bratz) are both down from last year,'' Mr. Silver said. "MGA has seen some growth with Baby Bratz. But, overall, the fashion doll segment has declined.

"Every category goes through swings, however,'' Mr. Silver added, pointing to a decline in Barbie sales in the mid-1990s when the doll faced competition from Beanie Babies.

Despite the downturn and the lawsuits, Mr. Silver and others predict a strong holiday season for both Barbie and Bratz. He pointed especially to the continued success of Baby Bratz as well the expected popularity of two new Barbie products -- "Barbie and the Magic of Pegasus'' DVD and the "Cinderella Barbie.'' Based on last year's sales trends, he expects both Barbie and Bratz lines to be cleaned out of stores by Dec. 20.

What's next in the doll duel? No one is sure. But there is word in Toyland that Ken -- who had separated from Barbie two years ago -- may be ready for a reconciliation.

Mattel officials have said Ken is considering a make-over to woo back Barbie, who has been toying with the affections of Blaine, her Australian surfer doll friend.

"A makeover might be just what Ken needs to step back into the spotlight,'' said Russell Arons, Mattel vice president of marketing.