NEW YORK — In a significant legal ruling, MGA Entertainment, a major toymaker known for creating the Bratz and Mini Verse toy lines, has been ordered to pay $71.5 million in damages for infringing on the intellectual property of the teen pop group OMG Girlz. The decision came after a protracted series of legal battles that highlighted issues of creativity and intellectual property rights in the entertainment and toy industries.
A federal jury found that MGA’s “L.O.L. Surprise! O.M.G.” dolls infringed on the “trade dress” and misappropriated the “name, likeness and identity” of the OMG Girlz. The verdict awarded the plaintiffs, which include the group’s members and their affiliated celebrities, Tameka “Tiny” Harris and Chris “T.I.” Harris, $17.9 million in actual damages and an additional $53.6 million in punitive damages.
The controversy centered around MGA’s line of dolls, which the plaintiffs claimed had similarities in name and style to the OMG Girlz, including comparable clothing worn by the dolls. This case marks the third trial in a complex legal fight involving multiple claims and counterclaims between the parties.
The legal saga began in 2020 when MGA sought a declaratory judgment asserting that their products did not violate any intellectual property rights held by OMG Girlz. This was in response to a cease-and-desist letter from the music group. A counterclaim was quickly filed by OMG Girlz, along with Tiny and T.I., which escalated the dispute to the courtroom.
A series of trials ensued, with the first trial in January 2023 ending in a mistrial due to the introduction of barred testimony. Although the second trial initially favored MGA, a subsequent appeal by OMG Girlz led to a retrial, resulting in the latest verdict.
Following the jury’s decision, members of the OMG Girlz and their supporters took to social media to celebrate the outcome. Bahja Rodriguez, a member of OMG Girlz, expressed her sentiment on Instagram commenting, “This is for creatives everywhere,” underscoring the importance of protecting artistic and creative rights against larger corporate interests.
Zonnique Pullins, another OMG Girlz member and daughter of Tiny, along with her group mates, have viewed the verdict as a victory for artists in the creative community, advocating for greater respect and acknowledgment of intellectual property rights.
In the aftermath of the verdict, MGA has not immediately responded to comments on the case. During the trial, representatives for MGA defended their position, arguing that the claims were without merit and highlighted the substantial sales of the “L.O.L Surprise! O.M.G.” dolls, which exceeded 40 million units without any reported customer confusion.
The legal representatives for OMG Girlz, Tiny, and T.I. released a statement highlighting their clients’ courage in standing up against what they described as intimidation from a billion-dollar corporation. They praised the jury for holding MGA accountable, viewing it as a significant win for individuals fighting to protect their creative works.
This case serves as a poignant reminder of the ongoing challenges within the realms of copyright and intellectual property law, especially as they pertain to the intersections between the entertainment industry and merchandise rights. It also underscores the growing awareness and enforcement of intellectual property rights as vital components of artistic integrity and commercial fairness.