Clifford “T.I.” Harris and Tameka “Tiny” Harris just scored a monumental victory in their lawsuit against MGA Entertainment, the toy company behind the popular O.M.G. Dolls. After a heated legal battle, a California federal jury awarded the couple nearly $71 million, ruling that MGA had misappropriated the name, likeness, and identity of the OMG Girlz, a pop group co-owned by T.I.
The jury found that seven of MGA’s O.M.G. Dolls had infringed on the trade dress and unique look of the OMG Girlz, whose vibrant style and fierce attitude captured fans’ hearts back in the day. The verdict comes after the couple initially lost a jury trial in May 2023, making this win even more significant.
Following six hours of deliberation over two days, the jury ruled that MGA’s infringement was not only “willful” but also done with “malice, oppression, or fraud.” This finding significantly increased the damages awarded. The initial sum of $17.8 million was supplemented with $53 million in punitive damages, bringing the total to a whopping $70.8 million.
For T.I. and Tiny, this case was about more than just money—it was about protecting their brand and ensuring that the hard work and creativity of Black artists are respected and valued. “This is a victory not just for us, but for every artist who has had their work taken without permission,” T.I. said in a statement following the ruling.
With this victory, the Harrises have set a new precedent in the fight against intellectual property theft and shown that they’re willing to go the distance to protect their legacy. This legal win is a major step forward in their ongoing efforts to safeguard the creative rights of the OMG Girlz and all artists in the industry.
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