In a dramatic face-off unfolding from years of legal skirmishes, a jury in Los Angeles now ponders the fate of a lawsuit between T.I. and Tiny Harris and MGA Entertainment over claims that the toymaker pilfered the likenesses of the OMG Girlz for its “L.O.L. Surprise! O.M.G.” doll line.
“After a lengthy three weeks, we are relieved to have finally shared our story,” Tameka “Tiny” Harris told AllHipHop in an exclusive statement, signaling a desire for a just decision.
Since 2009, T.I. and Tiny have managed the girl group OMG Girlz, a venture spanning until 2015, with a brief reappearance in 2017.
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T.I. and Tiny started the legal showdown after they saw the group’s likenesses in MGA’s “L.O.L. Surprise! O.M.G.” dolls.
The couple’s efforts to address the issue with MGA through a cease-and-desist order in 2020 reportedly led to the company preemptively filing a lawsuit.
The Harris couple replied in legal filings asserting that the dolls’ hair, clothing, and names closely mirrored those of the OMG Girlz, arguing that this infringement justified a claim for nearly $100 million in damages.
In defending its stance, MGA claimed rightful possession of the doll line’s trademarks and imagery, a point emphasized throughout the trials.
The legal saga saw its first jury trial in January 2023, only to be thwarted by cultural appropriation claims, leading to a mistrial.
A second trial in May 2023 concluded with the jury favoring MGA.
However, procedural shifts necessitated by recent Supreme Court rulings called for a third trial.
On September 21, 2024, the latest legal engagement was sent to the hands of the jury, who must distill weeks of testimony and evidence into a singular verdict.
“The judge maintained impartiality, and we value the diligence the jury exhibited. With the case now entrusted to them, we believe they will deliver a verdict that is just and in favor of the OMG Girlz,” Tiny told to AllHipHop.