T.I. and Tiny Harris Win $71 Million Judgment Against MGA Entertainment in Doll Lawsuit

Rapper T.I. and his wife, Tiny Harris, have been awarded a significant judgment in their lawsuit against MGA Entertainment, totaling a massive $71 million. The judgment was reached after a three-week trial in Santa Ana, California, where the jury initially awarded the couple $17.8 million in damages, followed by an additional $53.6 million in punitive damages.

Lawsuit Background

The legal battle began after MGA Entertainment launched its L.O.L. Surprise! O.M.G. doll line in 2019. T.I. and Tiny Harris filed a lawsuit, alleging that the dolls infringed on the likeness of their girl group, the OMG Girlz, which they founded in 2009. The couple argued that the dolls were reminiscent of the group’s image and branding.

Trial Developments

The initial trial concluded in January 2023 with a mistrial. A subsequent trial later that year resulted in a victory for MGA Entertainment, amidst allegations that T.I. and Tiny had sexually assaulted a woman back in 2005. However, a ruling from the Supreme Court in July 2023 permitted the case to be retried, emphasizing the significance of customer confusion in the marketplace.

Re-Trial Findings

During the re-trial, the jury focused on seven out of the 32 dolls produced by MGA Entertainment. They determined that all seven dolls copied the likeness and trade dress of the OMG Girlz. Additionally, the jury found that MGA had infringed on the group’s likeness with some, but not all, of the remaining 25 dolls, noting that some dolls were also inspired by other artists, including Lady Gaga and Beyoncé.

The OMG Girlz

It is important to note that T.I. and Tiny founded the OMG Girlz in 2009, a group that included Tiny’s daughter Zonnique “Star” Pullins, Bahja “Beauty” Rodriguez, and Breaunna “Babydoll” Womack. The substantial judgment reflects the jury’s recognition of the couple’s contributions to the music industry and the impact of the infringement on their brand.