Current:Home > ScamsT.I. and Tameka "Tiny" Harris Win $71 Million in Lawsuit Against Toy Company-Angel Dreamer Wealth Society D1 Reviews & Insights
T.I. and Tameka "Tiny" Harris Win $71 Million in Lawsuit Against Toy Company
View Date:2024-12-23 11:44:09
T.I. and Tameka "Tiny" Harris are celebrating a victory.
The "Live Your Life" rapper and his wife of 14 years were awarded $71 million on Sept. 23 after winning their third court trial against toy giant MGA Entertainment, which was accused of violating the intellectual property rights of the couple's music group the OMG Girlz with their L.O.L. Surprise! O.M.G. dolls.
"We were proud to represent the OMG Girlz, Tiny, and T.I.," their lawyer told E! News in a Sept. 24 statement, "who had the courage to stand up for themselves and fight a billion-dollar corporation's intimidation and insults with grace, perseverance, and a determination to protect their intellectual property and the rights of other creatives."
The statement added that thanks to T.I. and Tiny's determination, "a remarkable jury did the fair, just and right thing by holding MGA Entertainment fully accountable for trade dress infringement and for misappropriation of name, likeness, and identity."
E! News has reached out to MGA's lawyer for comment but hasn't heard back.
Jurors awarded T.I., 43, and Tiny, 49, (real names Clifford Joseph Harris and Tameka Dianne Cottle-Harris) $17.9 million in real damages and $53.6 million in punitive damages following the three-week trial in Santa Ana, Calif.
In their verdict, jurors said that 13 L.O.L. Surprise! O.M.G. dolls had "infringed on the trade dress and misappropriated the name, image, and likeness" of T.I. and Tiny's OMG Girlz band, according to Rolling Stone. They also found that a 14th doll violated the group's trade dress, while a 15th misappropriated the band's name, image and likeness.
T.I. and Tiny had started OMG Girlz in 2009, with the girl group consisting of Zonnique "Star" Pullins (Tiny's daughter), Bahja "Beauty" Rodriguez and Breaunna "Babydoll" Womack.
During the trial, T.I. and Tiny—who are also parents to children Clifford, 18, Major, 16, and Heiress, 8—alleged that seven of MGA's dolls copied the OMG Girlz looks at "very specific public events or in publicized photos," per Rolling Stone. MGA's founder Isaac Larian had testified during the court proceedings that the group played no role in the look of the dolls, calling them "extortionists."
Following the verdict, Tiny and T.I. were elated over the jury's decision.
"I mean, wow. They did more than I thought they would," Tiny told Rolling Stone. "I would have been happy with whatever. They blessed us more than beyond. We wanted to thank the jurors so bad, but we didn't get the opportunity."
T.I. added, "I think justice was served. I think it's a testament to the relentlessness and resilience of my wife, daughter and nieces. 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 also shared her excitement on Instagram, writing Sept. 23, "Man we may look crazy cause we been crying tears of joy!! We are so Grateful God. Thank you so much to the jurors first & foremost! We wanted to thank you in person but u guys were gone. To our amazing dream team u guys killed it!! We owe u everything!"
For the latest breaking news updates, click here to download the E! News AppveryGood! (6635)
Related
- What that 'Disclaimer' twist says about the misogyny in all of us
- New Hampshire school worker is charged with assaulting 7-year-olds, weeks after similar incident
- Pilot error likely caused the helicopter crash that killed 2 officers, report says
- 'Black joy is contagious': Happiness for Black Americans is abundant, but disparities persist
- FBI raids New York City apartment of Polymarket CEO Shayne Coplan, reports say
- Harvard megadonor Ken Griffin pulls support from school, calls students 'whiny snowflakes'
- After Washington state lawsuit, Providence health system erases or refunds $158M in medical bills
- Correction: Palestinian Groups-Florida story.
- Teachers in 3 Massachusetts communities continue strike over pay, paid parental leave
- Deal on wartime aid and border security stalls in Congress as time runs short to bolster Ukraine
Ranking
- Vegas Sphere reports revenue decline despite hosting UFC 306, Eagles residency
- US founder of Haiti orphanage who is accused of sexual abuse will remain behind bars for now
- Capitol Police close investigation into Senate sex tape: No evidence that a crime was committed
- Ex-CIA computer engineer gets 40 years in prison for giving spy agency hacking secrets to WikiLeaks
- South Carolina lab recaptures 5 more escaped monkeys but 13 are still loose
- Massachusetts Senate debates gun bill aimed at ghost guns and assault weapons
- Two Native American boys died at a boarding school in the 1890s. Now, the tribe wants them home
- A look at atmospheric rivers, the long bands of water vapor that form over oceans and fuel storms
Recommendation
-
Jon Gruden joins Barstool Sports three years after email scandal with NFL
-
NBA trade deadline: Will the Lakers trade for Dejounte Murray?
-
Pilot error likely caused the helicopter crash that killed 2 officers, report says
-
Eagerly awaited redistricting reports that will reshape Wisconsin Legislature are due
-
Up to 20 human skulls found in man's discarded bags, home in New Mexico
-
No quick relief: Why Fed rate cuts won't make borrowing easier anytime soon
-
New Hampshire House refuses to either further restrict or protect abortion rights
-
USWNT captain Lindsey Horan says most American fans 'aren't smart' about soccer