The 3rd trial over claims MGA Entertainment infringed on the name, identity, and similarity on the OMG Girlz is now in the hands of a jury
The fate of T.I. and Tiny’s $25 million copyright war with toymaker MGA Entertainment was left in the hands of an eight-member jury on Friday after closing arguments including accusations of “demeaning” insults and “deep phonies.”
In their last remarks completing the 3rd courtroom trial in the long-running civil case, legal representatives on each side sparred over T.I. and Tiny’s claims that MGA infringed on the name, identity, and similarity of the couple’s teen pop group OMG Girlz with its extremely popular line of “L.O.L. Surprise! O.M.G.” dolls.
“This case is actually about one side that thinks they can do what they desire, and they can press individuals around,” John R. Keville, the legal representative representing T.I., Tiny, and all 3 OMG Girlz, stated Friday as his well-known customers seen from the courtroom gallery.
In his dueling declaration, MGA’s attorney called T.I. and Tiny’s claims “unwarranted and offending,” stating his customers offered have actually offered 45 million “L.O.L Surprise! O.M.G.” dolls and “never ever gotten one grievance” that a client was “puzzled” about a possible association with the OMG Girlz. “It’s wrong what’s taking place,” lawyer Paul J. Loh stated of the violation claims. “We’re here to vindicate the fact.”
Over the last 3 weeks, jurors heard testament that T.I. and Tiny co-founded the OMG Girlz in 2009 with Tiny’s child Zonnique “Star” Pullins as a core member and after that constructed the group into a popular act that explored the nation, signed a recording handle Interscope Records, and got a handwritten note from Beyoncé enhancing the trio’s 2013 single “Baddie.” T.I. and Tiny both affirmed personally at the start of the trial that they thought 7 particular MGA dolls blatantly copied the method the OMG Girlz searched in advertised pictures or at prominent looks such as the 2012 BET Awards, the group’s 2013 All Around the World trip, and a 2017 New Year’s Eve efficiency in Atlanta with Tiny’s R&B group Xscape.
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Closing arguments today at T.I. & & Tiny’s trial over claims toymaker MGA Entertainment infringed on the name/image/likeness of the couple’s musical group OMG Girlz with its line of “L.O.L. Surprise! O.M.G.” dolls pic.twitter.com/yogI8GebpZ
— Nancy Dillon (@Nancy__Dillon) September 20, 2024
Pullins and her bandmates Bahja “Beauty” Rodriguez and Breaunna “Babydoll” Womack likewise affirmed, explaining their copyright as a “trade gown” including 3 components appearing concurrently: their OMG Girlz name, their dynamic pink, purple and blue hair, and their unique “edgy” closet.
“This is an extremely crucial case,” Keville stated in his closing. “The women have actually been awaiting their possibility to inform their story and safeguard their brand name. And they’re delighted to be here regardless of consistently throughout this trial being insulted, being called ‘no place,’ being called not successful, being called extortionists. There was no name getting in touch with our side.