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In a landmark legal victory, rapper T.I. and his wife, Tameka “Tiny” Harris, have been awarded $71 million in their lawsuit against MGA Entertainment. The couple claimed that MGA’s L.O.L. Surprise! O.M.G. dolls infringed on the intellectual property rights of their music group, the OMG Girlz.
The case, which began in 2020, concluded on September 23, 2024, with a unanimous jury verdict in favor of T.I. and Tiny. The court found that more than a dozen of MGA’s dolls misappropriated the name, image, and likeness of the OMG Girlz, a group formed by Tiny in 2009. The OMG Girlz, consisting of Bahja Rodriguez, Breaunna Womack, and Tiny’s eldest daughter, Zonnique Pullins, had a distinctive style that the dolls allegedly copied.
Tiny expressed her joy and gratitude in an Instagram Live video outside the federal courthouse in Santa Ana, California. “We did this for the city. We did this for the culture,” she said. “It was a fight. It was a hell of a fight. We couldn’t be more happy”. She also thanked the jurors for their belief In their story and for delivering a just verdict.
The jury awarded the couple $17.9 million in actual damages and an additional $53.6 million in punitive damages. Tiny shared her amazement at the outcome, stating, “They did more than I thought they would. I would have been happy with whatever. They blessed us more than beyond”.
The lawsuit highlighted the similarities between the OMG Girlz and the L.O.L. Surprise! O.M.G. dolls, including outfits and hairstyles. Tiny had previously called out MGA on social media, posting side-by-side photos of the girls and the dolls. During the trial, the OMG Girlz members testified about the specific public events and photos where their unique style was showcased.
This victory is not just a personal win for T.I. and Tiny but also a significant moment for intellectual property rights in the entertainment industry. It underscores the importance of protecting creative works and the cultural impact of such legal battles.
As the dust settles, MGA Entertainment may still appeal the verdict, but for now, T.I. and Tiny’s triumph stands as a testament to their resilience and determination.
