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T.I. and Tiny’s Wild Battle for $71 Million Award at Doll Trial Explained

T.I. and Tiny saw their $71 million OMG Girlz trial award essentially slashed by three-quarters this week. What happened, and can they get it back?

line featured smaller, brighter and less-edgy models sold in blind packaging that made each surprise “unboxing,” and its rush of feel-good neurotransmitters, part of the fun. They said Larian and MGA “engaged in both cultural appropriation and outright theft of the intellectual property, brand and image of a musical recording group of young multicultural women.” The first attempt to reach a verdict in the case ended in a mistrial after jurors heard barred testimony accusing the toy company of “racist cultural appropriation.” U.S. District Court Judge James V. Selna made a pre-trial ruling that the Harrises had to steer clear of their claims that Larian engaged in a “routine practice” of “using his doll business to misappropriate the likeness of Black female artists.” So it was a violation when a consumer testified on video that she “stopped purchasing” MGA’s dolls when she learned the OMG Girlz were not affiliated with the toys.

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