University of San Diego School of Law professor Orly Lobel, author of “You Don’t Own Me.”
Orly Lobel is a University of San Diego law professor whose 2013 book “Talent Wants to Be Free” helped contribute to a presidential call to action against non-compete restrictions. It also gave her the impetus for “You Don’t Own Me,” a highly readable account of the trade secret war between between toy giant Mattel Inc. and upstart MGA Entertainment Inc. over MGA’s Bratz doll line. We spoke with Lobel about the ever-increasing intensity of IP litigation and the rule breakers who dominate business, law and sometimes even the judiciary. This interview has been edited for clarity and length.
THE NATIONAL LAW JOURNAL: How did you decide to write You Don’t Own Me? ORLY LOBEL: Talent Wants to Be Free was about how we were—under the radar—expanding the world of intellectual property, and the kinds of knowledge that we’re fencing through contractual arrangements and employment relations.
