MGA Entertainment has been ordered to pay a hefty $71.5 million in damages to Tameka “Tiny” Harris, her husband T.I., and the teen pop group OMG Girlz. The verdict in the IP lawsuit follows a three-week trial that accused the toy makers of stealing the looks, name, and style of the Girlz for their L.O.L. Surprise! O.M.G. doll line.

While this marks the third time Tiny, T.I., and the OMG Girlz have taken MGA to court over these issues, this trial finally delivered a win for the group. The first case ended in a mistrial and the second ruled in favor of MGA, but that verdict was later overturned on appeal.

Third Time Is the Charm for OMG Girlz

Tiny and T.I. claimed MGA was stealing the OMG Girlz’ style with their dolls, which they argued looked strikingly similar to the band members in everything from their clothing to their signature style. The plaintiffs pointed out that these dolls seemed to directly mirror the Girlz’ public appearances and social media profiles, leading to accusations of misappropriating their identity.

MGA defended itself by insisting the dolls were not meant to represent the group and that no actual harm was done. The jury disagreed, however, delivering a verdict that included $17.9 million in actual damages and $53.6 million in punitive damages. The decision has been seen as a rebuke of MGA’s actions. 

Will the IP Lawsuit Verdict Finaly Settle This Doll Drama?

After two prior trials ended in a mistrial and a loss for the Girlz, this ruling affirms the importance of persistence in protecting intellectual property, especially when it comes to artists and entertainers who rely on their image and creativity.

Bahja “Beauty” Rodriguez, one of the original OMG Girlz members, celebrated the win on Instagram, writing, “No longer will we be bullied into silence when it comes to others profiting off of our ideas and creativity.” It is a reminder that standing up for what is right can pay off, even against a multi-billion-dollar corporation.