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.
“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 said.
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.
MGA employees denied that their dolls were modeled after the OMG Girlz, though they acknowledged that the dolls shared features of the group’s signature look, including vibrant hair and edgy, trend-driven wardrobes.
This admission has fueled concerns about a broader pattern of borrowing from recognizable images without credit.
The employees further defended their design process, dismissing allegations that any of their dolls were based on celebrity likenesses.
They specifically refuted claims that the smaller LOL Surprise dolls mimicked iconic figures such as Elton John, Audrey Hepburn, or Michael Jackson — accusations that critics say reflect a troubling trend of appropriating well-known figures without proper attribution.
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.