T.I. and Tiny Harris’ long-running legal battle against MGA Entertainment has reached another major milestone. According to Billboard, a federal jury declined to award the couple additional punitive damages in their copyright infringement lawsuit against the toy company. Despite that decision, the Harrises will still keep the $18 million they were previously awarded.
The lawsuit, which was first filed in 2020, accused MGA of copying the likeness, name, fashion, hairstyles, and overall aesthetic of the OMG Girlz for its highly successful “L.O.L. Surprise! O.M.G.” doll line. Tiny originally formed the girl group in 2009, and the trio became known for its bold fashion choices and signature style, which the Harrises argued MGA unlawfully replicated.
Although the latest ruling wasn’t the outcome T.I. and Tiny had hoped for, it still marks a major legal victory for the couple. Their attorneys said they were “disappointed in the verdict” regarding punitive damages, arguing that the evidence showed MGA failed to implement adequate policies to prevent intellectual property infringement.
“We will continue to fight for our clients’ rights and the rights of all creatives,” the statement read.
The legal dispute stretched on for years, spanning four separate trials. At one stage, the Harrises were awarded $53 million in punitive damages, but that ruling was later overturned after a judge found there wasn’t sufficient evidence to prove MGA had engaged in “willful infringement” or knowingly disregarded the group’s intellectual property rights.
Despite that setback, T.I. and Tiny ultimately retained the $18 million judgment, making the case one of the most notable intellectual property victories involving musicians in recent years.
The latest ruling also comes during a busy period for T.I. Although the Atlanta rapper has slowed down on releasing new music, he has remained active through business ventures, acting, comedy, and various legal matters alongside Tiny.
While the case didn’t conclude exactly as the couple had hoped, the Harrises still walk away with a significant legal victory after years of fighting to protect what they say is the OMG Girlz brand.
