New York – In a significant legal victory, teen pop group OMG Girlz along with celebrity figures Tameka “Tiny” Harris and Chris “T.I.” Harris have won a $71.5 million lawsuit against toy manufacturer MGA Entertainment for infringement of intellectual property. The ruling, delivered by a federal jury on Monday, concluded that MGA’s “L.O.L. Surprise! O.M.G.” dolls unlawfully leveraged the look and branding synonymous with OMG Girlz.
The case spotlighted the dolls’ names and outfits, which jurors found notably resembled the visuals associated with the all-girl music band, resulting in an awarded sum of $17.9 million in actual damages and an additional $53.6 million in punitive damages to the plaintiffs.
Tiny, the mother of band member Zonnique Pullins, and her husband T.I. have been closely connected to the legal proceedings, indicating a broader family engagement in the contest for rights. Celebrations were shared among the group members and their supporters online, with Bahja Rodriguez of OMG Girlz emphasizing the broader implications for creative communities in her social media posts.
MGA, previously challenging the claim, sought a legal declaration in 2020 to assert that their product line did not infringe upon the intellectual property of OMG Girlz. This move followed a cease-and-desist issued by the group. Despite MGA’s arguments, highlighted during the trials as seeing no consumer confusion with over 40 million dolls sold, the legal confrontations have been fraught with counterclaims and appeals.
Earlier trials painted a complex picture of the dispute. A January 2023 trial ended in a mistrial due to improperly admitted testimony related to cultural appropriation accusations. Although a second trial initially tipped in favor of MGA, persistent legal efforts from OMG Girlz’s camp ultimately led to this third trial and their victorious outcome.
Following the verdict, representatives for OMG Girlz and their celebrity affiliates lauded the jury’s decision to hold MGA accountable, highlighting a narrative of resisting intimidation by a major corporation to protect personal and creative rights.
MGA Entertainment, also known for popular toy lines like Bratz and Mini Verse, has not immediately responded to inquiries about the verdict.
This legal battle underscores increasing concerns over intellectual property rights as they intersect with commercial products, particularly those targeting the lucrative young demographics enticed by music bands like OMG Girlz and popular toy lines.
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