"T.I." Harris and Tameka "Tiny" Harris are having their $71 million legal payout reduced to $17.8 million after a judge found insufficient evidence of wrongdoing by MGA. The case involves an intellectual property dispute over likeness rights in entertainment and merchandising, as reported by FOX 5 Atlanta.
The case against MGA centered on the L.O.L. Surprise! O.M.G. dolls, which T.I. and Tiny claimed copied the style and image of the OMG Girlz, featuring Tiny's daughter Zonnique Pullins. Although a jury initially awarded them damages, U.S. District Judge James Selna found the evidence insufficient for "willful infringement" under the Lanham Act. "The evidence shows that MGA was, at most, negligent in investigating claims of infringement," Judge Selna wrote, adjusting the outcome of the case, as detailed by WBLS.
T.I. and Tiny, despite a legal setback, remain optimistic about their fight for creative rights. "We're just happy we were able to fight for creatives and our intellectual property," T.I. said. Tiny added, "They heard our story and knew we weren’t lying. It’s amazing to have been believed." Their attorney praised the jury for standing against MGA's "bullying and misrepresentations." Though the settlement was reduced, the OMG Girlz are still active, with a 2023 reunion and 2024 tour. Tiny remarked, "The ink hasn’t dried yet," hinting at possible future legal moves. Their case continues to impact the fight for intellectual property rights, according to WBLS.
