T.I. and Tiny may be known
The post T.I. And Tiny Win Massive $71 Million Lawsuit From MGA Entertainment appeared first on HotNewHipHop.
MGA Entertainment
MGA Seeking $6 Million From T.I. For “Misconduct” In OMG Girlz Lawsuit
According to legal documents obtained by Billboard, MGA Entertainment is now seeking $6 million from T.I. The news follows T.I. and his wife, Tameka “Tiny” Harris, losing a lawsuit against the company last month. The pair had claimed that the company used the likeness of a teen pop girl group created by Tiny in 2009, the OMG Girlz, as inspiration for their popular doll collection. Tiny called the verdict “horrible” following the news.
Now, MGA is firing back. The company’s lawyers claim the lawsuit was handled improperly, and they are looking to be reimbursed for hefty legal fees. “The OMG Girlz’ litigation tactics, over-reaching claims, and misconduct — including violating one of this Court’s … rulings as to require a mistrial — justify awarding MGA the over $6.1million in fees spent litigating this matter,” the lawyers wrote.
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T.I. And Tiny Sued MGA Entertainment
MGA’s lawyers continued, “Both in the manner the OMG Girlz litigated this case, and the weakness of the substantive claims and theories the OMG Girlz presented (as confirmed by the jury), the Court should conclude that this case stands out from others.”
The legal battle saw the pair accuse MGA of modeling their “L.O.L. Surprise OMG Girls” dolls after the group. “The animated OMG Dolls copy the OMG Girl distinctive physical appearance, hair styles and hair colors, dress and mimic the OMG Girl released sound recordings,” T.I. and Tiny’s lawsuit against MGA read. The couple also accused the company of racism, attempting to convince a jury that the dolls showcase “cultural appropriation and outright theft of the intellectual property.” MGA’s legal team claimed the trial was unfair due to these racism accusations, and it was later ruled a mistrial. MGA’s Chief Executive Officer, Isaac Larian, said that he “feels great” following the verdict.
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The post MGA Seeking $6 Million From T.I. For “Misconduct” In OMG Girlz Lawsuit appeared first on HotNewHipHop.
T.I. And Tiny Lose $100M Lawsuit Against MGA Entertainment
The final verdict is in on T.I. and Tameka “Tiny” Harris’ lawsuit against MGA Entertainment. The pair lost the $100 million legal battle, which surrounded one of the company’s most popular doll collections. In January, they sued MGA Entertainment, claiming that the company had produced a collection of dolls resembling OMG Girlz, a teen pop girl group created by Harris in 2009. “It’s horrible, but whatever,” Tiny told Law360 about the verdict. T.I. also added that he wants to “hear what the jurors have to say.”
“The animated OMG Dolls copy the OMG Girl distinctive physical appearance, hair styles and hair colors, dress and mimic the OMG Girl released sound recordings,” the lawsuit read. T.I. and Tiny tried to convince a jury that the “L.O.L. Surprise OMG Girls” dolls showcased “cultural appropriation and outright theft of the intellectual property.” They also added that MGA Entertainment was stealing the likeness of a group of “young multicultural women.” The initial lawsuit was declared a mistrial, based on MGA’s claim the trial was unfair due to cultural appropriation accusations.
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T.I. And Tiny Claim MGA Copied OMG Girlz
MGA’s Chief Executive Officer Isaac Larian called the verdict “a shakedown,” claiming to be “glad they came back with this verdict so fast.” He added that he “feels great” following the ruling. A spokesperson for MGA told LAMag in January, “In claiming inaccurately that MGA Entertainment copied their ‘unique’ look, they are unjustifiably seeking millions of dollars from the design and sale of our hit toy line.” He also added that the company intended to to “fiercely defend ourselves and our talented artists and designers, as we explain to the court how they created our best-selling toys with no influence from the OMG Girlz group.”
Legal affairs journalist Meghann Cuniff documented the lawsuit in January on her Twitter account. “There are big cultural misappropriation and racism issues being considered in litigation, among other pre-trial issues,” she wrote. Cuniff also added that she heard, “There will be 31 dolls at issue in trial. An MGA lawyer says that means there will be 31 mini trials, as the creative origins of each doll are explored in full.”
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Tiny Harris Sues MGA Entertainment Over OMG Girlz Intellectual Property
Another court case is about to be documented via Meghann Cuniff’s Twitter, and it involves T.I. and Tameka “Tiny” Harris. A decade ago, the OMG Girlz were storming the industry—a group that included Lil Wayne’s daughter Reginae Carter and Tiny’s daughter, Zonnique Pullins. Tiny created the group, and the ladies had their own signature styles that a company named MGA Entertainment used for their line of OMG Dolls.
However, it doesn’t look like MGA consulted with Tiny before deciding to move forward with their products. Now, Tiny is taking them to court over her intellectual property.
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The dolls are replicas of the OMG Girlz, down to the unique hairstyles and custom outfits. Meghann Cuniff gained internet fame for her coverage of the Tory Lanez trial, and now, she’s giving insight into this Tiny’s grudge against MGA.
“T.I’s stepdaughter was in OMG Girlz, as was Lil Wayne’s daughter. The trial is going to be about MGA’s OMG Dolls and whether they infringe on OMG Girlz,” Cuniff tweeted. “MGA initiated it back in 2020, but T.I. and Tiny have gone on the offensive, too, with a counterclaim.”
“There are big cultural misappropriation and racism issues being considered in litigation, among other pre-trial issues,” she continued. Cuniff stated there were discussions about T.I.’s criminal history as well as Tiny making a shirt featuring her daughter’s mugshot.
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Additionally, this case will be quite detailed, considering there are dozens of dolls called into question.
Cuniff noted, “A person familiar with this case warned me last night: ‘There are a gazillion damn dolls. I heard today there will be 31 dolls at issue in trial. An MGA lawyer says that means there will be 31 mini trials, as the creative origins of each doll are explored in full.”
Check out more from Cuniff below and swipe through The Neighborhood Talk‘s Instagram post for a glimpse of the dolls in question.