Rapper T.I. and singer Tameka “Tiny” Harris have secured a significant legal victory in their long-running dispute with toy manufacturer MGA Entertainment. A federal jury has awarded $71.5 million in damages to the couple and their teen pop group OMG Girlz for infringement of the group’s name and likeness.
The jury determined that MGA Entertainment’s L.O.L. Surprise! O.M.G. dolls violated the intellectual property rights of OMG Girlz. The damages awarded include $17.9 million in actual damages and $53.6 million in punitive damages.
The legal battle began in 2020 when MGA sought a declaratory judgment to confirm that their dolls did not infringe on OMG Girlz’s rights. The girl group, along with T.I. and Tiny, responded with counterclaims. This case has gone through multiple trials—the first trial in January 2023 ended in a mistrial, the second trial initially favored MGA but was overturned, and the current verdict comes from the third trial.
The lawsuit claimed that MGA’s dolls bore a striking resemblance to OMG Girlz in both name and appearance, including similar outfits. The jury found that several dolls infringed on the group’s “trade dress” and inappropriately used their name, likeness, and identity.
Throughout the trial, MGA denied all claims of infringement and misappropriation. The company’s attorney, Jennifer Stone, called the allegations “baseless and offensive” during closing arguments, noting that MGA had sold over 40 million L.O.L. Surprise! O.M.G. dolls without causing consumer confusion. MGA Entertainment has not responded to requests for comment on the verdict or potential plans for appeal.
OMG Girlz members expressed the joy over their victory on social media, with Bahja Rodriguez stating, “[t]his is for creatives everywhere. We will no longer be bullied into silence regarding others profiting from our ideas and creativity[.]” This verdict is significant win for artists and creators in protecting their intellectual property rights against large corporations.
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