TI and Tiny’s Lawsuit Victory Trimmed Down by Federal Judge

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TI and Tiny’s Lawsuit Victory Trimmed Down by Federal Judge

Despite securing a major legal win earlier in 2024, TI and Tiny Harris are walking away with a much smaller payout.

In September 2024, the couple filed a lawsuit against MGA Entertainment, accusing the company of trademark infringement. They claimed that MGA had produced dolls that closely resembled their girl group, OMG Girlz, both in design and branding. A jury ruled in their favor, awarding the couple a staggering $71 million. The decision was a clear win for TI and Tiny, who expressed their satisfaction and relief following the verdict.

However, on January 6, 2025, U.S. District Judge James Selna issued a new ruling that reduced the scale of the couple’s victory.

While acknowledging that MGA Entertainment’s dolls bore some similarities to the OMG Girlz brand, the judge concluded there was insufficient evidence to prove direct copying. Citing the Lanham Act, which requires proof of willful infringement to justify such a large penalty, Selna determined that MGA was not liable for the full extent of damages.

As a result, the $53 million in punitive damages were eliminated.

TI and Tiny Still Receive Payment—But Significantly Less

Despite the reduction, TI and Tiny are still entitled to a financial award, though it’s now much smaller.

Following the judge’s decision, the couple will receive $17 million instead of the original $71 million. While it’s still a victory, the revised sum is undoubtedly a major disappointment for the couple, who had celebrated the initial ruling as a major success.

In a statement after the jury’s decision, Tiny expressed gratitude to those who supported them throughout the case.

“We just want to thank the jurors for believing in our story,” she told People magazine. “They knew we weren’t lying, and that means everything.”

TI echoed his wife’s sentiments, praising their family’s strength throughout the ordeal.

“This victory represents the persistence and resilience of my wife, daughter, and nieces,” he said. “We’re just happy we were able to fight for our intellectual property and stand up for creatives.”

Even though the payout is now much smaller than expected, TI and Tiny’s legal victory still carries significant weight. It’s a win for them in terms of protecting their brand, but their financial reward will be a fraction of what was initially awarded.