T.I. and his wife Tameka “Tiny” Harris have just secured a massive win, making headlines and a lot more cash. The iconic couple was awarded a staggering $71 million after coming out on top in a legal battle against MGA Entertainment, the company behind the popular “L.O.L. Surprise! O.M.G.” dolls.
This victory comes after T.I. and Tiny sued the toy giant for infringing on the intellectual property rights of their girl group, OMG Girlz, which was formed back in 2009. The group featured Tiny’s daughter, Zonnique Pullins, along with Bahja Rodriguez and Breaunna Womack, and was known for their vibrant, colorful style and bold image.
The case centered on the claim that MGA Entertainment had copied the likeness, style, and even the name of the girl group for their L.O.L. Surprise dolls. T.I. and Tiny argued that the doll line directly lifted elements from OMG Girlz, particularly in 13 of the dolls in question, which bore a striking resemblance to the band members.
According to Rolling Stone, the jury sided with the couple, ruling that “13 dolls among more than 30 at issue infringed on the trade dress and misappropriated the name, image, and likeness of the all-female band.”
Following the huge win, Tiny expressed her gratitude, saying, “I mean, wow. They did more than I thought they would. 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.” It’s clear that the victory went above and beyond their expectations, marking a significant moment for the couple as they defended their creative legacy.
T.I. also shared his thoughts, highlighting the importance of the case not just for them but for creators everywhere. “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.” His words underscore the ongoing struggle many artists and creators face when it comes to protecting their work from being exploited by large companies.
Zonnique, a key member of the OMG Girlz and daughter of Tiny, was deeply moved by the ruling. She recalled an emotional moment in 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.” Her reaction speaks to the personal significance this win had for the family, who had put so much into building the image and identity of the OMG Girlz.
