Current:Home > MarketsT.I. and Tameka "Tiny" Harris Win $71 Million in Lawsuit Against Toy Company -ChatGPT
T.I. and Tameka "Tiny" Harris Win $71 Million in Lawsuit Against Toy Company
View
Date:2025-04-18 07:36:32
T.I. and Tameka "Tiny" Harris are celebrating a victory.
The "Live Your Life" rapper and his wife of 14 years were awarded $71 million on Sept. 23 after winning their third court trial against toy giant MGA Entertainment, which was accused of violating the intellectual property rights of the couple's music group the OMG Girlz with their L.O.L. Surprise! O.M.G. dolls.
"We were proud to represent the OMG Girlz, Tiny, and T.I.," their lawyer told E! News in a Sept. 24 statement, "who had the courage to stand up for themselves and fight a billion-dollar corporation's intimidation and insults with grace, perseverance, and a determination to protect their intellectual property and the rights of other creatives."
The statement added that thanks to T.I. and Tiny's determination, "a remarkable jury did the fair, just and right thing by holding MGA Entertainment fully accountable for trade dress infringement and for misappropriation of name, likeness, and identity."
E! News has reached out to MGA's lawyer for comment but hasn't heard back.
Jurors awarded T.I., 43, and Tiny, 49, (real names Clifford Joseph Harris and Tameka Dianne Cottle-Harris) $17.9 million in real damages and $53.6 million in punitive damages following the three-week trial in Santa Ana, Calif.
In their verdict, jurors said that 13 L.O.L. Surprise! O.M.G. dolls had "infringed on the trade dress and misappropriated the name, image, and likeness" of T.I. and Tiny's OMG Girlz band, according to Rolling Stone. They also found that a 14th doll violated the group's trade dress, while a 15th misappropriated the band's name, image and likeness.
T.I. and Tiny had started OMG Girlz in 2009, with the girl group consisting of Zonnique "Star" Pullins (Tiny's daughter), Bahja "Beauty" Rodriguez and Breaunna "Babydoll" Womack.
During the trial, T.I. and Tiny—who are also parents to children Clifford, 18, Major, 16, and Heiress, 8—alleged that seven of MGA's dolls copied the OMG Girlz looks at "very specific public events or in publicized photos," per Rolling Stone. MGA's founder Isaac Larian had testified during the court proceedings that the group played no role in the look of the dolls, calling them "extortionists."
Following the verdict, Tiny and T.I. were elated over the jury's decision.
"I mean, wow. They did more than I thought they would," Tiny told Rolling Stone. "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."
T.I. added, "I think justice was served. I think it's a testament to the relentlessness and resilience of my wife, daughter and nieces. 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."
Tiny also shared her excitement on Instagram, writing Sept. 23, "Man we may look crazy cause we been crying tears of joy!! We are so Grateful God. Thank you so much to the jurors first & foremost! We wanted to thank you in person but u guys were gone. To our amazing dream team u guys killed it!! We owe u everything!"
For the latest breaking news updates, click here to download the E! News AppveryGood! (76341)
Related
- Meet first time Grammy nominee Charley Crockett
- 2 Guinean children are abandoned in Colombian airport as African migrants take new route to US
- A voter’s challenge to having Trump’s name on North Carolina’s primary ballot has been dismissed
- North Carolina’s 2024 election maps are racially biased, advocates say in lawsuit
- Residents worried after ceiling cracks appear following reroofing works at Jalan Tenaga HDB blocks
- NFL power rankings Week 16: Who's No. 2 after Eagles, Cowboys both fall?
- Ho, ho, hello! How to change your smart doorbell to a festive tune this holiday season
- Amanda Bynes says undergoing blepharoplasty surgery was 'one of the best things.' What is it?
- From family road trips to travel woes: Americans are navigating skyrocketing holiday costs
- Cameron Diaz Slams Crazy Rumors About Jamie Foxx on Back in Action Set
Ranking
- Current, future North Carolina governor’s challenge of power
- George Santos says he'll be back — and other takeaways from his Ziwe interview
- Cameron Diaz Slams Crazy Rumors About Jamie Foxx on Back in Action Set
- UCLA gymnast Chae Campbell hits viral floor routine inspired by Wakanda in 'Black Panther'
- Skins Game to make return to Thanksgiving week with a modern look
- Frenchy's Chicken owners: Beyoncé's love for Houston eatery stems from Third Ward roots
- Wisconsin man faces homicide charges after alleged drunken driving crash kills four siblings
- Former Pennsylvania death row inmate freed after prosecutors drop charges before start of retrial
Recommendation
B.A. Parker is learning the banjo
Flooding continues across Northeast; thousands still without power: Live updates
Want to buy an EV? Now is a good time. You can still get the full tax credit and selection
Everyone in Houston has a Beyoncé story, it seems. Visit the friendly city with this guide.
Pressure on a veteran and senator shows what’s next for those who oppose Trump
Germany protests to Iran after a court ruling implicates Tehran in a plot to attack a synagogue
How that (spoiler!) cameo in Trevor Noah’s new Netflix special came to be
Backup QBs are on display all around the NFL as injury-depleted teams push toward the postseason