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Three trials later, T.I. and Tiny Harris have won millions in their lawsuit against MGA Entertainment. The entertainers repeatedly sued the toy maker for their line of “L.O.L. Surprise! O.M.G.” dolls, claiming several dolls ripped off the aesthetics and style of the pop group OMG Girlz.
Ultimately, the couple closed this legal chapter with $71 million in real and punitive damages. A California jury found MGA Entertainment liable for copyright and intellectual property infringement on Monday (Sept. 23), per Rolling Stone.
Here’s Why The Jury Ruled In Tiny & T.I.’s Favor In MGA Entertainment Trial
As mentioned, T.I. and Tiny’s win against MGA comes after three attempts. Their first trial ended in a mistrial in Jan. 2023 due to barred testimony citing “cultural appropriation.” MGA won the second trial in early 2023. However, in Sept. of the same year, a judge granted the Harris’s a retrial.
After deliberating for three weeks in the third trial, a jury found that 13 of the more than 30 dolls discussed at trial infringed on the trade look of the OMG Girlz. Furthermore, the jury found that 13 dolls also misappropriated the name, image, and likeness (NIL) of the pop group. A 14th doll reportedly violated trade dress, and a 15th misappropriated the NIL of OMG Girlz, per RS.
In court testimony, T.I., Tiny, and their legal team argued that MGA marketed at least seven dolls that ripped looks from “very specific public events” the OMG Girlz attended or performed at and publicized photos they took. MGA denied the accusations, calling the lawsuit defendants “extortionists.”
For context, Tiny was a co-founder of the OMG Girlz, which featured Tiny’s daughter Zonnique “Star” Pullins, Bahja “Beauty” Rodriguez, and Breaunna “Babydoll” Womack. All three reportedly testified at trial.
In closing arguments, T.I. and Tiny’s lawyer, John Keville, referenced testimony from four consumers who said they had assumed the OMG Girlz inspired the relevant doll line. Both sides tussled over market confusion and differences in inspiration and misappropriation. Ultimately, a jury awarded the defendants $17.9 million in real damages and called for MGA to pay Tiny and T.I. $53.6 million in punitive damages.
T.I., Tiny, & OMG Girlz Speak After Lawsuit Win
T.I. was not present in the Santa Ana courtroom during the reading, but Tiny Harris and the OMG Girlz were. Speaking to Rolling Stone after the verdict, she said the amount was more than she expected.
“I would have been happy with whatever. They blessed us more than beyond. We wanted to thank the jurors so bad, but we didn’t get the opportunity,” Tiny told RS.
T.I. also spoke to the outlet via phone call after the verdict. He reportedly said he believes “justice was served” and credited his wife for her “relentlessness and resilience” in seeing the lawsuit through. Tip also stated that the award is a W for “the people who actually put hard work and effort into building and creating things from nothing.”
“We’re just happy we were able to come out on top and fight for creatives and our intellectual property that large corporations seem to think is just public domain and free for all to come and grab and use,” Tip shared.
After the verdict, the OMG Girlz reportedly hugged outside the courtroom. Breaunna said she felt “grateful and overwhelmed with hoy,” while Zonnique said she got “emotional” when it was collectively decided in court that the group had a memorable trade dress.
Meanwhile, outside the courthouse, Tiny reiterated that viewpoint, affirming that MGA “stole from [their] creation.” “I’m glad we stuck with it. No one could tell me they did not steal from us,” Harris said.
Online, Tiny offered more words about their $71 million win and “hell of a fight” that started in 2020. See her comments below and swipe for more case details.
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