Doubt what? I've worked with Mattel awhile now, and I have lots of friends in the toy industry. Just fact. They have lots of talented, creative people working for them. (Myself included.) They don't need to steal anyone else's ideas. Certainly not mine.
No, they don't. Their characters are conceptualized at least a year in advance, if not more. And as a Mattel contractor, I'm a bit insulted at your insinuation.