In a landmark legal decision on Monday, rapper T.I., whose real name is Clifford Harris, and his wife Tameka “Tiny” Harris, emerged victorious in a high-stakes lawsuit against toymaker MGA, known for its popular L.O.L. Surprise! dolls. The jury, concluding a three-week trial, awarded the couple a staggering $71 million. The lawsuit alleged that MGA had exploited the likeness and trade dress of the OMG Girlz, a teen pop group formed by Tiny and featuring their daughter Zonnique “Star” Pullins, along with Bahja “Beauty” Rodriguez and Breaunna “Babydoll” Womack, in its line of “O.M.G.” dolls.
The verdict detailed $17.9 million in actual damages for the infringement and an additional $53.6 million in punitive damages, aimed at punishing MGA for what was described as cultural appropriation and intellectual property theft.
The controversy began in 2021 when T.I. and Tiny accused MGA of copying the distinct style and persona of the OMG Girlz, who were presented as young multicultural women, to create similar dolls. The dispute included comprehensive side-by-side comparisons of the dolls and the group members, arguing that each doll correlated with a specific band member.
The legal journey was contentious and extended over several stages. Initially, a mistrial was declared in January 2023 after the jury was exposed to inadmissible testimony, which included accusations of racism directed at MGA. A subsequent trial concluded with a jury ruling in favor of MGA, clearing them of wrongdoing. However, this decision was overturned on appeal, leading to the third and final trial that concluded with the recent verdict in favor of the musical couple.
Following the jury’s decision, Tiny expressed her relief and joy on Instagram, praising the jurors for their fairness and acknowledgment of their claims. “It’s been a hell of a fight, and we couldn’t be happier with the outcome,” she stated in a live stream.
Despite the substantial jury award, the legal battle may not be over. MGA retains the option to challenge the verdict and the damages. Initially, they can request the presiding judge to overturn the verdict, and failing that, they can escalate the matter to a federal appeals court.
This case highlights the ongoing issues of cultural appropriation and intellectual property rights within the lucrative toy industry, where the line between inspiration and infringement can sometimes blur. The verdict not only represents a significant financial judgment but also sends a strong message about the protection of artists’ rights against larger corporations.