T.I. and Tiny’s $71 Million Doll Trial Award Reduced to $18 Million

## Update on T.I. and Tiny’s Lawsuit Against MGA Entertainment

Less than a year after hip-hop icon T.I. and his wife, Tameka “Tiny” Harris, celebrated a staggering $71 million jury award against MGA Entertainment, a judge has significantly reduced the payout. The couple claimed that the toy company copied the name, signature neon hairstyles, and distinct outfits of their teen pop group, the OMG Girlz.

### Judge’s Ruling

In a ruling made on Tuesday, U.S. District Court Judge James V. Selna determined that a large portion of the jury’s award—specifically the $53.6 million meant for punitive damages—was not substantiated by sufficient evidence. According to Selna, the maximum punitive damages that could be reasonably justified is merely $1. The Harrises now face a choice: accept the remaining $17.9 million, along with the $1, or opt for a new trial.

“We are considering our options for next steps,” stated John Keville, the Harrises’ attorney. “If we have to go through another mini-trial for punitive damages, we believe another jury will find MGA’s actions just as offensive.”

### Evidence of Infringement

Keville affirmed that the court’s ruling acknowledged the jury’s findings—there was ample evidence supporting the claim that MGA had misappropriated the OMG Girlz’s rights. “The Harrises and the OMG Girlz are understandably disappointed that the jury’s fair judgment regarding MGA’s willful misconduct was not upheld,” he added.

Judge Selna’s ruling occurred after MGA argued that their actions weren’t willful and claimed the punitive damages were excessive. Selna concluded that while it was clear some MGA designers were aware of the OMG Girlz as early as December 2019, the evidence did not convincingly demonstrate a clear intent to infringe upon their intellectual property. The judge critiqued MGA for lacking credibility, noting their refusal to acknowledge any obvious imitations of well-known figures.

### Background of the Case

This legal battle has been ongoing since January 2023, when the first trial ended in a mistrial due to restricted testimony related to “cultural appropriation.” A second trial earlier this year resulted in a ruling favoring MGA, but that verdict was overturned following an appeal tied to a significant Supreme Court decision that focused on consumer confusion. Ultimately, the third trial concluded with the substantial $71 million verdict in September 2024.

At the previous trial, T.I. and Tiny accused MGA of marketing specific dolls in their popular “L.O.L. Surprise! O.M.G.” line that replicated the OMG Girlz’s appearance during distinct public events. MGA denied these claims, with founder Isaac Larian labeling the Harrises and the OMG Girlz members as “extortionists.” The jury, however, sided with T.I. and Tiny, indicating their perspective had merit.

### Emotional Response from the OMG Girlz

Following the jury’s verdict, T.I. and Tiny felt a sense of vindication. Members of the OMG Girlz—Zonnique “Star” Pullins, Bahja “Beauty” Rodriguez, and Breaunna “Babydoll” Womack—were present at the trial and expressed their emotional relief outside the courtroom. “I’m so grateful and overwhelmed with joy,” Womack said, while Pullins added, “We all silently cried.”

As this case continues to unfold, the stakes remain high for all parties involved. What do you think will happen next in this ongoing legal saga?