In an effort to protect European toy makers from Chinese competition, European Union officials in Brussels have imposed import quotas equivalent to $81.7 million on dolls that represent nonhuman figures. The ruling does not affect human dolls, however. Popular British dolls such as Noddy, Big Ears, and also teddy bears have been subject to the tax, while Batman and Robin haven't.

A disagreement has arisen over how to treat dolls of characters from the Star Trek television show. Captain Kirk is okay, but Mr. Spock isn't. Dan Madsen, president of Star Trek: The Official Fan Club in Colorado, said customs officials "ought to cut Spock some slack" because his mother, Amanda, was human. But British customs officials are standing firm on Spock. "We see no reason to change our interpretation," says customs spokesman Dez Barratt-Denyer. "You don't find a human with ears that size."

Oddly enough, Europe's toy makers, the supposed beneficiaries of the quotas, oppose the protection. EU companies make doll accessories from imported Chinese toys and fear they will lose $200 million in business and 500 jobs. "The whole thing is a great bungle," says Peter Waterman of the Toy Manufacturers of Europe and the British Toy and Hobby Association. "It seems very strange that we should have customs officials involved in a discussion of whether Mr. Spock is an alien or a human being."

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