Rapper T.I. and his wife, Tameka “Tiny” Harris, have scored a major legal victory in their ongoing lawsuit against MGA Entertainment. The couple, alongside the OMG Girlz, will be awarded $71.5 million following a federal court ruling in their favor. This sum includes $53.6 million in punitive damages and $17.9 million in actual damages, a significant financial win after years of legal battles.
The lawsuit stemmed from claims that MGA Entertainment used the likeness of the OMG Girlz to create their popular O.M.G. Dolls without permission. The OMG Girlz, a girl group formed by Tiny, included her daughter Zonnique Pullins, Bahja “Beauty” Rodriguez, and Breaunna “Babydoll” Womack. Their legal team argued that MGA’s dolls closely mirrored the group’s distinct image and style, constituting copyright infringement.
Earlier, U.S. District Judge James V. Selna expressed concern over the large punitive damages, suggesting that the $53.6 million sum might be excessive. However, after reviewing the evidence, he upheld the jury’s original decision, reaffirming the group’s claims and the substantial damages awarded.
In a court filing, the ruling stated, “Upon consideration of the evidence, the Court grants disgorgement of profits of $17,872,252 under common law misappropriation, and affirms the jury’s award of punitive damages of $53,616,759.”
This ruling marks a pivotal moment for T.I., Tiny, and the OMG Girlz, who faced a long and tumultuous legal journey. The case has seen several twists, including a mistrial and a brief legal win for MGA Entertainment. However, the final judgment ensures that the group will receive the full damages, validating their claims and providing a major legal triumph.
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