Jury awards teen pop group OMG Girlz $71.5 million in dispute with toy maker over ‘L.O.L.’ dolls
Toymaker MGA Entertainment has been ordered to pay $71.5 million in damages for infringing on the name and likeness of the teen pop group OMG Girlz, following a federal jury’s decision.
The verdict is a significant win for OMG Girlz and their supporters, including Xscape singer Tameka “Tiny” Harris and rapper Chris “T.I.” Harris, in an ongoing intellectual property dispute with the California-based company. The jury determined that MGA’s “L.O.L. Surprise! O.M.G.” dolls bore a name and style strikingly similar to that of OMG Girlz, including outfits that appeared to resemble those worn by the band. The jury awarded OMG Girlz, Tiny, and T.I. $17.9 million in actual damages, along with $53.6 million in punitive damages.
The ruling was celebrated on social media by OMG Girlz members Zonnique Pullins, Bahja Rodriguez, and Breaunna Womack, with Rodriguez emphasizing that the verdict is a victory for creatives against the exploitation of their ideas. Tiny, who has been vocal throughout the legal battles, also expressed her satisfaction with the outcome.
The conflict began in 2020 when MGA sought a declaratory judgment asserting that its products did not infringe on OMG Girlz’s intellectual property, leading to counterclaims from the group.
After a series of trials, including a mistrial in January 2023 and an unfavorable verdict in the second trial, the jury’s decision marks a pivotal moment in the case. MGA has consistently denied the infringement allegations, with its legal team calling the claims “baseless and offensive.”
Peoplesmind