One of the founders of the controversial ‘Baby Einstein’ range of products is taking the University of Washington to court in an attempt to force the institution’s scientists to release their raw data to him.

The products – a series of videos for babies and toddlers – are hugely popular with parents, many of whom believe they have educational benefits.

William Clark, who sold the Baby Einstein company to Disney in 2001, wants records relating to two studies published in 2004 and 2007*. The latter found an “association between early viewing of baby DVDs/videos and poor language development” while the former suggested “efforts to limit television viewing in early childhood may be warranted”.

In a statement issued Monday, Clark says “Given that other research studies have not shown the same outcomes, we would like the raw data and analytical methods from the Washington studies so we can audit their methodology, and perhaps duplicate the studies, to see if the outcomes are the same.”

If this all seems very familiar, it’s probably because the university has already crossed swords with current owners of Baby Einstein over the 2007 study.

Shortly after it was released, Disney chief executive Robert Iger launched an attack on the research, the press release that accompanied it, and the university itself. University president Mark Emmert stood behind the work and the row petered out.(See: Is baby DVD research Mickey Mouse science?)

Last year Disney offered refunds to those who had purchased Baby Einstein products after parents threatened to sue the company amid debate over how educational the products were and how they were marketed.

Now Clark has taken up the fight, claiming he wants to ‘protect the legacy’ he and his wife created with the brand. He says any damages awarded will be donated to breast cancer research. Nature is seeking comment from the university.

Clark’s move is just the latest attempt to force researchers to hand over the raw data used in their work. The issue has been particularly acute for those working in climate change, but is being experienced in an increasing number of disciplines.

* Associations between Media Viewing and Language Development in Children Under Age 2 Years – The Journal of Pediatrics, 2007

Early Television Exposure and Subsequent Attentional Problems in Children – Pediatrics, 2004