A California federal jury ruled against a legal claim by rapper Clifford “T.I.” Harris and singer-songwriter Tameka “Tiny” Harris.”
The jury sided with the Chatsworth-based toy manufacturer against the claim it stole the name and likeness of a girl group the married couple managed to create a popular line of dolls.
T.I. and Tiny sought nearly $100 million from MGA Entertainment, Inc., over their sales of OMG LOL Surprise dolls, Whitter Daily News reported.
In their claims, the couple alleged that the hair, dress, and name of the dolls were nearly identical to their music group OMG Girlz. From 2009-2015, the couple promoted the three-member teenage girl group.
In 2020, a year after the company started selling the product, the Harris family sent a cease-and-desist order to MGA, and the company sued back.
On Friday, the jury ruled in favor of the toy maker after its attorneys argued the girl group’s trademark on the OMG Girlz name lapsed in 2018.
“They abandoned it,” Jennifer Keller, an attorney for MGA attorney said. “They actually abandoned it when they changed their name,” Keller continued, referring to the group’s rebrand to OMG.
Keller also referenced the 1st Amendment, saying it protected MGA’s creative team in creating original doll designs.
“They were not famous,” Keller said. “These ladies were trend followers, not trendsetters. They never achieved liftoff.”
The OMG Girlz’ attorney, John Keville, argued the music group had a significant following on social media platforms and had a strong presence in the Atlanta area, adding that they had a strong fan base among Black teenage girls.
The attorney pointed out the similarities between the group’s outfits and the dolls, as well as their names, hair, and makeup.
Friday’s verdict concluded the two-and-a-half-year court battle between the parties.
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