T.I. and Tiny Awarded $0 in Punitive Damages
Rolling Stone • • entertainment
Key Points:
- A jury ruled against T.I. and Tameka “Tiny” Harris in their fourth trial against MGA Entertainment, deciding that MGA did not act with malice, thus denying the $53.6 million in punitive damages previously awarded.
- The couple’s total recovery remains at $17.9 million in compensatory damages from an earlier jury verdict nearly two years ago.
- The legal battle began in 2020 after MGA was accused of misappropriating the OMG Girlz’s name, likeness, and identity for its L.O.L. Surprise! O.M.G. doll line, with prior juries finding in favor of T.I. and Tiny on these claims.
- Previous trials included a mistrial and a cleared verdict that was later overturned on appeal; the case has highlighted issues of intellectual property and cultural appropriation in the entertainment and toy industries.
- T.I., Tiny, and the OMG Girlz members have expressed their disappointment but remain committed to fighting for their creative rights, emphasizing the importance of protecting intellectual property against large corporations.
