T.I. and Tiny Harris Win $71 Million Lawsuit Against MGA Entertainment
T.I. and Tiny Harris Win $71 Million Lawsuit Against MGA Entertainment
T.I. and Tiny Harris, well-known for their musical careers, recently secured a major legal victory, winning a $71 million lawsuit against MGA Entertainment.
The case stemmed from claims that MGA, the toy company behind popular doll lines like Bratz, infringed on the likeness and style of the OMG Girlz, a pop group launched by the couple in 2009.
Though the group didn’t produce major hits and disbanded in 2015, the lawsuit brought their image back into the spotlight.
The Legal Battle Over OMG Girlz Dolls
T.I. and Tiny alleged that MGA’s line of dolls unlawfully copied the unique style and aesthetic of the OMG Girlz, leading to the lawsuit. After a lengthy legal fight, the jury awarded the couple $17,872,359 in real damages and an additional $53,616,759 in punitive damages, totaling over $71 million.
This win followed two previous failed attempts by the couple to sue MGA, including a case dismissed after barred testimony regarding cultural appropriation claims.
T.I. and Tiny’s Response
Following the verdict, T.I.’s lawyer, John Keville, thanked the jury for their decision, stating they stood up against MGA’s “bullying and misrepresentations.” Tiny expressed her gratitude to the jurors and praised the judge for maintaining impartiality throughout the case. In her statement, she said, “We believe they will deliver a verdict that is just and in favor of the OMG Girlz.”
T.I. also took the opportunity to reflect on the broader significance of the victory. “This is a victory not just for us,” he said, “but for every artist who has had their work taken without permission.”
A Payday from a Dormant Group
Interestingly, the OMG Girlz have been inactive since 2015, with only a brief reunion in 2017. Despite the group being defunct, T.I. and Tiny’s legal battle over the use of the group’s likeness has led to a substantial financial gain.
The lawsuit reinforces the importance of protecting intellectual property and ensuring that creators are compensated when their work is used without consent.
The win marks a significant legal triumph for the couple and sets a precedent for future cases involving intellectual property and image rights in the entertainment industry.
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Avigail is an Entertainment blogger at All About The Tea, who specializes in The Real Housewives of Atlanta and The Real Housewives of Potomac. Avigail has a background in marketing. She’s a Brooklynite living in the Bahamas, with a passion for travel, writing, reality TV watching, pop culture and spoken word.