T.I. and his wife Tameka “Tiny” Harris were awarded $71 million in a lawsuit against toy company MGA Entertainment for violating their intellectual property. The couple received $17.9 million in real damages and $53.6 million in punitive damages after successfully arguing that the company infringed upon the likeness and trade dress of their girl group, OMG Girlz, and misappropriated the band’s name for its line of toys. The OMG Girlz was formed in 2009 as a way to showcase their daughter, Zonnique “Star” Pullins, and included Bahja “Beauty” Rodriguez and Breaunna “Babydoll” Womack.
T.I. expressed his satisfaction with the verdict, crediting it to the resilience and relentless efforts of his wife, daughter, and nieces. He emphasized the importance of fighting for creatives and intellectual property that large corporations often overlook. Tiny, a member of the 1990s girl group Xscape, was also pleased with the outcome of the trial, acknowledging that the award was beyond their expectations and expressing gratitude to the jurors for their decision. This was the couple’s third attempt to sue MGA, with their first trial ending in a mistrial and the second trial resulting in a loss before being granted a retrial.
The jury found that seven of the L.O.L. Surprise O.M.G. dolls infringed upon the likeness and trade dress of the OMG Girlz. During the trial, T.I. pointed out what he considered to be undeniable infringement by MGA, highlighting the similarities between outfits worn by the OMG Girlz and the dolls. The couple’s lawyers presented evidence that clearly showed how the dolls were influenced by the girl group’s appearances in live performances and photos. MGA’s founder, Isaac Larian, denied that the designs were inspired by the OMG Girlz and referred to T.I., Tiny, and the girl group as “extortionists” during his testimony.
The lawsuit against MGA Entertainment was a significant victory for T.I. and Tiny in their fight to protect their intellectual property and maintain control over their creative work. The substantial award of $71 million, including both real and punitive damages, reflects the jury’s recognition of the company’s violation of the couple’s rights. This case serves as a reminder of the importance of artists and creators safeguarding their ideas and works from exploitation by larger corporations. T.I. and Tiny’s success in this legal battle showcases the value of standing up for one’s rights in the face of intellectual property infringement.
The trial, which lasted three weeks, provided T.I. and Tiny with the opportunity to present their case against MGA Entertainment and demonstrate the clear infringements on their intellectual property. The couple’s persistence in pursuing legal action against the toy company despite initial setbacks ultimately paid off with the jury’s ruling in their favor. Their commitment to upholding the integrity of their creative endeavors and asserting their rights as artists has set a precedent for others in the industry to protect their intellectual property. This landmark verdict against MGA serves as a victory not only for T.I., Tiny, and the OMG Girlz but also for artists and creators everywhere.
