Current:Home > NewsT.I. and Tameka "Tiny" Harris Win $71 Million in Lawsuit Against Toy Company -SovereignWealth
T.I. and Tameka "Tiny" Harris Win $71 Million in Lawsuit Against Toy Company
View
Date:2025-04-15 08:26:33
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! (8)
Related
- Arkansas State Police probe death of woman found after officer
- Jason and Travis Kelce Prove Taylor Swift is the Real MVP for Her “Rookie Year”
- Adam Sandler to Receive the People's Icon Award at 2024 People's Choice Awards
- UK lawmakers are annoyed that Abramovich’s frozen Chelsea funds still haven’t been used for Ukraine
- Where will Elmo go? HBO moves away from 'Sesame Street'
- Tampa road rage shooting leaves 4-year-old girl injured, man faces 15 charges
- The Federal Reserve's first rate meeting is on Wednesday. Here's what economists say about rate cuts.
- PGA Tour strikes deal with pro sports ownership group to create for-profit arm
- Grammy nominee Teddy Swims on love, growth and embracing change
- Tennessee attorney general sues NCAA over ‘NIL-recruiting ban’ as UT fights back
Ranking
- Arkansas State Police probe death of woman found after officer
- Israel says 3 terror suspects killed in rare raid inside West Bank hospital
- How 'Poor Things' actor Emma Stone turns her anxiety into a 'superpower'
- Hurry! This Best-Selling Air Purifier That's Been All Over TikTok Is On Now Sale
- Travis Hunter, the 2
- Wray warns Chinese hackers are aiming to 'wreak havoc' on U.S. critical infrastructure
- Massachusetts man shot dead after crashing truck, approaching officer with knife
- Hedge fund billionaire Ken Griffin calls Harvard students whiny snowflakes
Recommendation
The FBI should have done more to collect intelligence before the Capitol riot, watchdog finds
Justin Timberlake reveals he's 'been in the studio' with NSYNC following reunion
Rita Moreno, Debbie Allen, Ariana DeBose of 'West Side Story' honor the original Anita, Chita Rivera
How to transform a war economy for peacetime
House passes bill to add 66 new federal judgeships, but prospects murky after Biden veto threat
Treat Your BFF to the Ultimate Galentine's Day: Solawave, Nasty Gal & More
Taylor Swift, Drake, BTS and more may have their music taken off TikTok — here's why
Stock market today: Asia markets mixed ahead of Fed decision; China economic data disappoint