Current:Home > MyT.I. and Tameka "Tiny" Harris Win $71 Million in Lawsuit Against Toy Company -TrueNorth Capital Hub
T.I. and Tameka "Tiny" Harris Win $71 Million in Lawsuit Against Toy Company
View
Date:2025-04-14 00:18:27
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! (3)
Related
- Apple iOS 18.2: What to know about top features, including Genmoji, AI updates
- Mets have visions of grandeur, and a dynasty, with Juan Soto as major catalyst
- Could your smelly farts help science?
- What do we know about the mysterious drones reported flying over New Jersey?
- What do we know about the mysterious drones reported flying over New Jersey?
- Average rate on 30
- What to know about Tuesday’s US House primaries to replace Matt Gaetz and Mike Waltz
- At site of suspected mass killings, Syrians recall horrors, hope for answers
- IRS recovers $4.7 billion in back taxes and braces for cuts with Trump and GOP in power
- Former Syrian official arrested in California who oversaw prison charged with torture
Ranking
- In ‘Nickel Boys,’ striving for a new way to see
- 'We're reborn!' Gazans express joy at returning home to north
- EU countries double down on a halt to Syrian asylum claims but will not yet send people back
- McKinsey to pay $650 million after advising opioid maker on how to 'turbocharge' sales
- Israel lets Palestinians go back to northern Gaza for first time in over a year as cease
- Angelina Jolie nearly fainted making Maria Callas movie: 'My body wasn’t strong enough'
- Alex Murdaugh’s murder appeal cites biased clerk and prejudicial evidence
- Jamie Foxx reps say actor was hit in face by a glass at birthday dinner, needed stitches
Recommendation
A South Texas lawmaker’s 15
Israel lets Palestinians go back to northern Gaza for first time in over a year as cease
Current, future North Carolina governor’s challenge of power
A White House order claims to end 'censorship.' What does that mean?
Trump's 'stop
Whoopi Goldberg is delightfully vile as Miss Hannigan in ‘Annie’ stage return
Woman dies after Singapore family of 3 gets into accident in Taiwan
As Trump Enters Office, a Ripe Oil and Gas Target Appears: An Alabama National Forest