The hip-hop couple secures a landmark jury award against MGA Entertainment over intellectual property rights.
In a significant legal victory, hip-hop mogul T.I. and his wife, Tameka “Tiny” Harris, have been awarded $71 million by a jury after winning their third court trial against toy giant MGA Entertainment. This ruling comes after allegations that MGA’s popular “L.O.L. Surprise! O.M.G.” doll line infringed on the intellectual property rights of the couple’s teen pop group, the OMG Girlz.
The jury announced its decision on Monday in a federal courtroom in Santa Ana, California. They awarded T.I. and Tiny a total of $71 million, which includes $17.9 million in real damages and a staggering $53.6 million in punitive damages. This verdict marks a significant moment for the couple, who have been fighting to protect their creative work since the inception of the OMG Girlz in 2009.
Tiny said, “I mean, wow. They did more than I thought they would. I would have been happy with whatever. They blessed us more than beyond.”
The jury found that 13 dolls infringed on the trade dress of the OMG Girlz, misappropriating the name, image, and likeness of the all-female band. A further two dolls were also found to violate the group’s trade dress. This verdict is particularly poignant as it comes after a long battle to assert the rights of creative individuals against larger corporations.
T.I. also shared his thoughts on the verdict, calling it a win for all creators. “I think justice was served. I think it’s a testament to the relentlessness and resilience of my wife, daughter, and nieces,” he said. “We’re just happy we were able to come out on top and fight for creatives and our intellectual property.” He added that the verdict sends a clear message about the importance of protecting creative work from exploitation.
During the trial, MGA Entertainment’s legal team argued that T.I. and Tiny’s lawsuit was merely a “money grab.” T.I. refuted these claims, saying that the jury’s decision proved them wrong. He criticized MGA for attempting to portray them as the villains in this situation. “They were the ones that came and ripped us off,” he said, emphasizing the need for creatives to stand up for their rights.
Outside the courtroom, Tiny thanked her legal team, highlighting their dedication throughout the trial. She firmly stated, “At the end of the day, the evidence showed [MGA] stole from us. They stole from our creation.” Her resolve illustrates the emotional investment and commitment they had toward the OMG Girlz and their brand.
The trial revealed the heart of the dispute: MGA allegedly marketed seven dolls that closely mirrored the appearance of the OMG Girlz at specific events. The jury heard testimony from T.I., Tiny, and members of the OMG Girlz—Zonnique “Star” Pullins, Bahja “Beauty” Rodriguez, and Breaunna “Babydoll” Womack—who all underscored the authenticity of their claims. Womack expressed her joy after the verdict, saying, “I’m so grateful and overwhelmed with joy.”
In the closing arguments, both sides debated the scope of the OMG Girlz’s fame and whether MGA’s actions constituted inspiration or misappropriation. T.I. and Tiny’s legal team presented social media evidence showing public confusion over the dolls’ identities. This was crucial in establishing that consumers believed the MGA dolls were based on the OMG Girlz.
MGA’s billionaire founder, Isaac Larian, countered the claims by stating that T.I. and Tiny had no involvement in the design of his dolls. He labeled them as “extortionists,” a claim that did not resonate with the jury.
The outcome of this trial serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of intellectual property rights, especially in the entertainment industry. T.I. and Tiny’s victory not only protects their creative endeavors but also reinforces the idea that all creators should stand firm against infringement.
As the couple celebrates this significant win, they hope their story will inspire others facing similar battles in the creative world. This landmark verdict is a clear message that creativity and hard work deserve respect and protection from corporate overreach.
