An award allocated to T.I. and Tameka “Tiny” Harris surrounding OMG Girlz has been reduced.
As
AFROTECH™ previously told you, the couple, who co-founded the OMG Girlz group — made up of Bahja “Beauty” Rodriguez, Breaunna “Babydoll” Womack, and the Harrises’ daughter Zonnique “Star” Pullins — had sued doll maker MGA Entertainment Inc. The pair alleged that MGA released its L.O.L. Surprise! O.M.G. (Outrageous Millennial Girls) dolls collection in 2016 using the
name, image, and likeness of the girl group. The couple was
awarded $71 million from a jury that included $17.9 million in actual damages and $53.6 million in punitive damages in September 2024.
By January 2025, a judge considered reducing the amount but ultimately decided against it and stayed with the original
decision in the case, allowing the couple to maintain the full amount awarded. It appears in the latest update that another judge has disagreed with the verdict. Rolling Stone
reported on July 9, U.S. District Court Judge James V. Selna ruled that the $17.9 million in actual damages could remain in place, but that evidence did not show “deliberate intent” or support the $53.6 million granted for punitive damages. He said the “maximum punitive damages award sustainable by the proof is $1.” Thus, they could take the $17.9 million plus $1 or move forward with a new trial.
“There was no reliable evidence that MGA had any knowledge of the group’s trade dress or desire to use their likeness to create the infringing dolls,” Judge Selna wrote in a 33-page ruling, per the outlet. “The strong appearance that MGA copied other celebrities does not provide clear and convincing evidence that such was the case for the OMG Girlz.”
In response to the verdict, Tiny said, “At the end of the day, the evidence showed [MGA] stole from us. They stole from our creation. I’m glad we stuck with it. No one could tell me they did not steal from us.”
T.I. added:
“I think justice was served. I think it’s a testament to the relentlessness and resilience of my wife, daughter, and nieces. We’re just happy we were able to come out on top and fight for
creatives and our
intellectual property that large corporations seem to think is just public domain and free for all to come and grab and use.”
Both T.I. and Tiny have been given a two-week deadline to share how they wish to proceed with the case.
