Rapper T.I. and Tiny Harris awarded MASSIVE eight-figure amount in lawsuit over doll line
Rapper TI and his wife Tiny Harris have been awarded a whopping eight-figure settlement in their lawsuit against MGA Entertainment.
The 43-year-old rapper (born Clifford Joseph Harris Jr.) and his 43-year-old wife Tameka “Tiny” Cottle-Harris were awarded $71 million via Daily diary.
The jury originally awarded $17.8 million in punitive damages, plus $53.6 million in compensatory damages, after the three-week trial in Santa Ana, California.
MGA Entertainment first released their LOL Surprise! OMG doll line in 2019, with Harris filing a lawsuit alleging infringement on the girl group they created, OMG Girlz, which was formed in 2009.
The first trial ended in mistrial in January 2023, while the second trial later that year resulted in a victory for MGA. However, the couple was also accused of sexually abusing a woman in 2005.
Rapper TI and his wife Tiny Harris have been awarded a massive eight-figure settlement in their lawsuit against MGA Entertainment
Harris is suing for copyright infringement against the girl group OMG Girlz, which was formed in 2009.
MGA Entertainment first released their doll line LOL Surprise! OMG in 2019
However, a Supreme Court ruling in July 2023 allowed the case to be reheard, placing greater emphasis on the importance of customer confusion in the marketplace.
The new trial focused on seven of the 32 dolls produced by MGA Entertainment. The judges found that all seven dolls matched the group’s style in appearance and appearance.
The jury found that MGA infringed on the group’s likeness in some, but not all, of the remaining 25 dolls. Some were copied from other artists, such as Lady Gaga and Beyoncé.
Harris’ attorney, John Keville, suggested the jury fine MGA between $35 million and $72 million, in addition to $17 million in regular punitive damages. The jury ultimately decided on $53.6 million.
MGA claimed that the group disbanded when they launched their toy line and that the dolls did not “harm” the group in terms of business opportunities since they were no longer together.
Harris’ attorney argued, describing examples of customer confusion on social media, adding that these dolls prevented the Harrises from producing their own toy line.
The entire group testified at the trial, along with Harris, claiming that their appearance was based on their appearances at specific public events.
TI and Tiny formed the group in 2009, which consisted of Tiny’s daughter Zonnique “Star” Pullins, Bahja “Beauty” Rodriguez and Breaunna “Babydoll” Womack.
However, a Supreme Court ruling in July 2023 allowed the case to be reheard to give greater weight to the importance of customer confusion in the marketplace.
The renewed trial focused on seven of the 32 dolls produced by MGA Entertainment, with the jury finding that all seven copied the group’s likeness and trademark
Harris’ attorney, John Keville, suggested the jury fine MGA between $35 million and $72 million, in addition to $17 million in regular damages, with the jury deciding on $53.6 million
TI and Tiny formed the group in 2009, which consisted of Tiny’s daughter Zonnique “Star” Pullins, Bahja “Beauty” Rodriguez and Breaunna “Babydoll” Womack.
They released a number of singles between 2009 and 2014 before splitting up in 2015. They only briefly reunited in 2018 during the Great Xscape Tour.
In 2023, they released their first single in over a decade and in the summer of 2024 they joined the Queens of R&B Tour.
The group released their latest single Motion on August 2.
The group worked individually on a number of solo projects before recently reuniting.