Current:Home > reviewsT.I. and Tameka "Tiny" Harris Win $71 Million in Lawsuit Against Toy Company -Mastery Money Tools
T.I. and Tameka "Tiny" Harris Win $71 Million in Lawsuit Against Toy Company
View
Date:2025-04-13 17:51:35
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! (8463)
Related
- From family road trips to travel woes: Americans are navigating skyrocketing holiday costs
- Sean 'Diddy' Combs' attorneys seek gag order after 'outrageous' claims from witness
- Gianforte and Zinke seek to continue Republican dominance in Montana elections
- Republicans try to hold onto all of Iowa’s 4 congressional districts
- IRS recovers $4.7 billion in back taxes and braces for cuts with Trump and GOP in power
- Clemson coach Dabo Swinney challenged at poll when out to vote in election
- GOP tries to break Connecticut Democrats’ winning streak in US House races
- California voters weigh measures on shoplifting, forced labor and minimum wage
- Juan Soto praise of Mets' future a tough sight for Yankees, but World Series goal remains
- Opinion: 76ers have themselves to blame for Joel Embiid brouhaha
Ranking
- Tarte Shape Tape Concealer Sells Once Every 4 Seconds: Get 50% Off Before It's Gone
- Republican Mike Kehoe faces Democrat Crystal Quade for Missouri governor
- US Sen. Tim Kaine fights for a 3rd term in Virginia against GOP challenger Hung Cao
- Man faces fatal kidnapping charges in 2016 disappearance of woman and daughter in Florida
- Toyota to invest $922 million to build a new paint facility at its Kentucky complex
- US Sen. Tim Kaine fights for a 3rd term in Virginia against GOP challenger Hung Cao
- MLB free agent rankings: Soto, Snell lead top 120 players for 2024-2025
- Mississippi Republican Sen. Roger Wicker is challenged by Democrat Ty Pinkins
Recommendation
Skins Game to make return to Thanksgiving week with a modern look
North Carolina’s top lawyer and No. 2 executive are vying for governor
The GOP expects to keep Kansas’ open House seat. Democratic Rep. Davids looks tough to beat
McBride and Whalen’s US House race sets the stage for a potentially historic outcome
'No Good Deed': Who's the killer in the Netflix comedy? And will there be a Season 2?
Republican Jim Banks, Democrat Valerie McCray vying for Indiana’s open Senate seat
Tennessee’s US Sen. Blackburn seeks reelection against Democratic state Rep. Gloria Johnson
New Hampshire’s governor’s race pits ex-Sen. Kelly Ayotte against ex-Mayor Joyce Craig