The fourth trial in a yearslong legal fight between T.I., Tameka “Tiny” Harris, and the toy giant MGA Entertainment did not go the celebrity couple’s way.
T.I. and Harris had sought to restore some of the $53.6 million in punitive damages that a judge in California had previously thrown out. But on Wednesday, the jury in the latest trial found that MGA had not acted with malice, meaning no punitive damages would be awarded. As a result, the couple’s total recovery remains capped at the $17.9 million in compensatory damages awarded by a different jury nearly two years ago.
“We appreciate the jury’s time and consideration but are disappointed in the verdict,” T.I. and Tiny’s lawyers, led by John Keville, Chante Westmoreland, and Robert Green, said in a statement. “We proved malice once and believe that had this jury had the benefit of the three weeks of evidence the last jury saw, they too would have found punitives appropriate. It’s clear from the evidence that MGA’s policies are inadequate to prevent this type of IP infringement, and their document retention and collection procedures are equally as suspect. We will continue to fight for our clients’ rights and the rights of all creatives.”
Lawyers for MGA Entertainment did not immediately respond to a request for comment. When U.S. District Judge James V. Selna threw out the $53.6 million portion of the 2024 verdict last year, he called it “unsupported by the evidence.”
Wednesday’s verdict capped a legal saga that T.I. and Tiny, who created and own OMG Girlz, have been fighting since 2020. At the third trial, in September 2024, a jury found that MGA had misappropriated the group’s name, likeness, and identity by using them as the basis for seven dolls in its top-selling L.O.L. Surprise! O.M.G. line.
The prior jury that awarded the combined $71.5 million verdict concluded that MGA acted with malice when it knowingly copied the OMG Girlz’s name, neon hair, and distinctive outfits. The real-life group features Tiny’s daughter, Zonnique “Star” Pullins, along with Bahja “Beauty” Rodriguez, and Breaunna “Babydoll” Womack.
The first trial in the case started in January 2023 and ended in a mistrial when jurors heard barred testimony accusing the toy company of “cultural appropriation.” A second trial a few months later cleared MGA of wrongdoing, but that verdict was overturned on appeal due to a Supreme Court ruling giving more weight to evidence about consumer confusion.
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At the third trial, T.I. and Tiny convinced jurors that MGA marketed seven specific dolls that clearly copied the way the OMG Girlz appeared at “very specific public events” or in publicized photos. MGA denied the allegations. The company’s billionaire founder, Isaac Larian, testified that T.I., Tiny, and the three OMG Girlz played no role in the design of his dolls. He called them “extortionists.” After the $71.5 million verdict, T.I. and Tiny said they felt vindicated.
“I think justice was served. I think it’s a testament to the relentlessness and resilience of my wife, daughter, and nieces,” T.I. told Rolling Stone in 2024. “We’re just happy we were able to come out on top and fight for creatives and our intellectual property that large corporations seem to think is just public domain and free for all to come and grab and use.”
Tiny said the $71 million award was more than she expected. “At the end of the day, the evidence showed [MGA] stole from us. They stole from our creation,” Tiny told Rolling Stone. “I’m glad we stuck with it. No one could tell me they did not steal from us.”
Pullins, Rodriguez, and Womack attended the various trials and took turns testifying. After the 2024 verdict, they hugged in the hallway outside the courtroom. “When the judge asked if we had a memorable trade dress and everyone raised their hands, I got so emotional. We all silently cried,” Pullins said at the time.
From Rolling Stone US
