Current:Home > InvestT.I. and Tameka "Tiny" Harris Win $71 Million in Lawsuit Against Toy Company -Quantum Capital Pro
T.I. and Tameka "Tiny" Harris Win $71 Million in Lawsuit Against Toy Company
View
Date:2025-04-11 22:23:42
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! (97564)
Related
- Trump wants to turn the clock on daylight saving time
- ‘A curse to be a parent in Gaza': More than 3,600 Palestinian children killed in just 3 weeks of war
- Ottawa Senators must forfeit first-round pick over role in invalidated trade
- Trying to solve the mystery of big bond yields
- Where will Elmo go? HBO moves away from 'Sesame Street'
- Live updates | Israel’s troops advance as diplomatic efforts aim to at least pause Gaza fighting
- The Fed held interest rates steady — but the fight against inflation is not over yet
- Defendant in Tupac Shakur killing loses defense lawyer ahead of arraignment on murder charge
- Scoot flight from Singapore to Wuhan turns back after 'technical issue' detected
- Indiana high court finds state residents entitled to jury trial in government confiscation cases
Ranking
- 'Malcolm in the Middle’ to return with new episodes featuring Frankie Muniz
- Netflix doc reveals how firefighter saved Jesus’ Crown of Thorns as Notre Dame blaze raged
- Anger might help you achieve challenging goals, a new study says. But could your health pay the price?
- North Korea has likely sent missiles as well as ammunition and shells to Russia, Seoul says
- 'Vanderpump Rules' star DJ James Kennedy arrested on domestic violence charges
- Low World Series TV ratings in 2023 continue 7-year downward trend
- 80-foot Norway spruce gets the nod as Rockefeller Center Christmas tree, will be cut down next week
- U.S. infant mortality rate rises for first time in 20 years; definitely concerning, one researcher says
Recommendation
Finally, good retirement news! Southwest pilots' plan is a bright spot, experts say
Confusion, frustration and hope at Gaza’s border with Egypt as first foreign passport-holders depart
Cyprus plans to send humanitarian aid directly to Gaza by ship, where UN personnel would receive it
Joe Jonas Reacts When CVS Security Guard Says He “Looks Crazy”
Are Instagram, Facebook and WhatsApp down? Meta says most issues resolved after outages
Dyeing your hair can get messy. Here’s how to remove hair dye from your skin.
College student is fatally shot in Salem as revelers take part in Halloween celebration
Memphis police officer charged in Tyre Nichols death to change plea in federal criminal case