Current:Home > MyT.I. and Tameka "Tiny" Harris Win $71 Million in Lawsuit Against Toy Company -Wealth Axis Pro
T.I. and Tameka "Tiny" Harris Win $71 Million in Lawsuit Against Toy Company
View
Date:2025-04-13 20:27:15
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! (36799)
Related
- San Francisco names street for Associated Press photographer who captured the iconic Iwo Jima photo
- She was found dead while hitchhiking in 1974. An arrest has finally been made.
- The NBA Cup is here. We ranked the best group stage games each night
- Francesca Farago Details Health Complications That Led to Emergency C-Section of Twins
- Paula Abdul settles lawsuit with former 'So You Think You Can Dance' co
- Mike Tyson emerges as heavyweight champ among product pitchmen before Jake Paul fight
- Auburn surges, while Kansas remains No. 1 in the USA TODAY Sports men's basketball poll
- Blake Shelton Announces New Singing Competition Show After Leaving The Voice
- Trump issues order to ban transgender troops from serving openly in the military
- Blake Shelton Announces New Singing Competition Show After Leaving The Voice
Ranking
- Warm inflation data keep S&P 500, Dow, Nasdaq under wraps before Fed meeting next week
- Kevin Costner says he hasn't watched John Dutton's fate on 'Yellowstone': 'Swear to God'
- What that 'Disclaimer' twist says about the misogyny in all of us
- New York eyes reviving congestion pricing toll before Trump takes office
- New Zealand official reverses visa refusal for US conservative influencer Candace Owens
- Where you retire could affect your tax bill. Here's how.
- This is Your Sign To Share this Luxury Gift Guide With Your Partner *Hint* *Hint
- Veterans Day restaurant deals 2024: More than 80 discounts, including free meals
Recommendation
Who's hosting 'Saturday Night Live' tonight? Musical guest, how to watch Dec. 14 episode
Sting Says Sean Diddy Combs Allegations Don't Taint His Song
Lions QB Jared Goff, despite 5 interceptions, dared to become cold-blooded
Brian Austin Green Shares Message to Sharna Burgess Amid Ex Megan Fox's Baby News
Travis Hunter, the 2
Voters in California city reject measure allowing noncitizens to vote in local races
Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson weighs in on report that he would 'pee in a bottle' on set
What that 'Disclaimer' twist says about the misogyny in all of us