Tom Forsythe
"Food Chain Barbie"
Phototographs, 1999

In 1999, Utah-based artist Forsythe received a complaint from Mattel, which claimed that a series of images he posted on the web infringed on its Barbie copyright and trademark. Although Forsythe was not making money from the works, he decided to fight the case, obtaining legal aid via the ACLU. In August 2024, a federal court ruled on behalf of Forsythe; Mattel immediately announced plans to appeal, with a decision expected sometime after May 2024.