Current:Home > ScamsT.I. and Tameka "Tiny" Harris Win $71 Million in Lawsuit Against Toy Company -ProWealth Academy
T.I. and Tameka "Tiny" Harris Win $71 Million in Lawsuit Against Toy Company
View
Date:2025-04-16 15:11:58
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! (72568)
Related
- South Korean president's party divided over defiant martial law speech
- Democratic state leaders prepare for a tougher time countering Trump in his second term
- Oil Industry Asks Trump to Repeal Major Climate Policies
- Republican Vos reelected as Wisconsin Assembly speaker despite losing seats, fights with Trump
- Spooky or not? Some Choa Chu Kang residents say community garden resembles cemetery
- Caitlin Clark has one goal for her LPGA pro-am debut: Don't hit anyone with a golf ball
- Olivia Munn began randomly drug testing John Mulaney during her first pregnancy
- Investigators believe Wisconsin kayaker faked his own death before fleeing to eastern Europe
- The Daily Money: Spending more on holiday travel?
- Kansas basketball vs Michigan State live score updates, highlights, how to watch Champions Classic
Ranking
- 'Kraven the Hunter' spoilers! Let's dig into that twisty ending, supervillain reveal
- 2 dead in explosion at Kentucky factory that also damaged surrounding neighborhood
- RHOBH's Kyle Richards Addresses PK Kemsley Cheating Rumors in the Best Way Possible
- Police identify 7-year-old child killed in North Carolina weekend shooting
- Can Bill Belichick turn North Carolina into a winner? At 72, he's chasing one last high
- When do new 'Yellowstone' episodes come out? Here's the Season 5, Part 2 episode schedule
- John Krasinski Revealed as People's Sexiest Man Alive 2024
- Shawn Mendes quest for self-discovery is a quiet triumph: Best songs on 'Shawn' album
Recommendation
A South Texas lawmaker’s 15
What are the best financial advising companies? Help USA TODAY rank the top U.S. firms
2 more escaped monkeys recaptured and enjoying peanut butter and jelly sandwiches in South Carolina
GM recalling big pickups and SUVs because the rear wheels can lock up, increasing risk of a crash
Person accused of accosting Rep. Nancy Mace at Capitol pleads not guilty to assault charge
Shawn Mendes quest for self-discovery is a quiet triumph: Best songs on 'Shawn' album
Why Kathy Bates Decided Against Reconstruction Surgery After Double Mastectomy for Breast Cancer
As the transition unfolds, Trump eyes one of his favorite targets: US intelligence