Hasbro cancels plans to sell Pussycat dolls

Hasbro Inc. has shelved plans to release a line of dolls based on the Pussycat Dolls, an all-female music group known for risque lyrics and skimpy outfits.

Hasbro, the nation’s second biggest toy maker, said it decided the dolls were “inappropriate” for the company to market and that the pop group catered to a more mature audience.

The move comes amid criticism from a national advocacy group, Dads & Daughters, that had campaigned against the doll line.

The company had reached a deal with Interscope Records, the group’s label, to release dolls modeled after the popular sextet — whose songs include the hit single “Don’t Cha.” But it released a statement Wednesday saying it had abandoned plans for the doll line.

Interscope is part of Universal Music Group Recordings Inc.