T.I. and Tiny Win $71M Lawsuit Over OMG Girlz Dolls Likeness: Reports

T.I. and Tiny Harris have achieved a significant victory for their teen girl group, OMG Girlz, by winning $71 million in a lengthy legal battle against MGA Entertainment, a toy manufacturer. The couple accused the company of infringing on the intellectual property rights associated with OMG Girlz through its L.O.L. Surprise! O.M.G. doll line, as reported by Rolling Stone and The Independent.

The lawsuit, which was initially filed in 2020, centered on allegations that MGA Entertainment misappropriated the name, image, and likeness of the OMG Girlz. The girl group, established in 2009 by Tiny Harris, prominently featured her daughter, Zonnique Pullins, alongside Bahja Rodriguez and Breaunna Womack.

On social media, Pullins expressed her gratitude, saying, “OMG ON ERRYTHANG. thank you to our team, the jurors, and my parents for giving us a platform to fight for our brand! love you mommy @majorgirl when everybody was ready to quit you said HELL NAH! very much THAT GIRL.”

In a ruling handed down on Monday, a jury determined that 15 out of the more than 30 dolls were found to infringe on the group’s trade dress, which refers to the visual appearance of the product, as well as its name and likeness. The couple argued during the trial that specific dolls duplicated the outfits worn by the OMG Girlz in media appearances and notable public events. MGA’s legal representatives dismissed the lawsuit as an attempt to extract money, calling it a “money grab,” according to Rolling Stone.

This case has seen its share of ups and downs, with three trials occurring since the lawsuit’s initiation in 2020. One trial ended in mistrial in January 2023 after jurors were exposed to prohibited testimony that accused MGA of “cultural appropriation.” A second trial in May 2023 seemed to favor MGA, but a Supreme Court decision regarding a Jack Daniel’s whiskey-themed dog toy in June allowed for a retrial.

Tiny has been vocal about the issue, often sharing comparative images of the O.M.G. dolls and OMG Girlz outfits. Just last week, she posted a side-by-side photo on social media, stating, “1 of many but biggest custom outfit in questioned! @omggirlz vs #OMGDolls last wk of court! God willing the truth will prevail!!!” This illustrates her ongoing commitment to defending her brand.

After the ruling, Tiny expressed her deep appreciation for the judicial process, thanking the judge, the jurors, and her legal team with a heartfelt message: “God we thank you so much!”

Although OMG Girlz has not been active in recent years, the group reunited last week to release their latest single and music video titled “Motion,” featuring all three original members. This comeback marks a significant milestone for the group as they continue to navigate their artistic identity against the backdrop of the legal victory.

The impact of this ruling not only cements T.I. and Tiny’s influence within the music industry but also highlights the importance of protecting intellectual property rights, especially in a landscape where brand identities can be easily appropriated.