A US federal jury has ruled in favor of the teen pop group OMG Girlz and their parents, awarding them a significant $71.5 million in damages against toy manufacturer MGA Entertainment.
The verdict came after a lengthy legal battle over MGA’s popular “L.O.L. Surprise! O.M.G.” line of dolls, which the group accused of infringing on their name, likeness, and identity.
In their lawsuit, OMG Girlz, along with their mother and stepfather, Tameka “Tiny” Harris and Chris “T.I.” Harris, argued that MGA’s dolls bore striking similarities to the group’s style and appearance, including clothing and overall aesthetic.
The jury agreed, finding that MGA had infringed on the group’s “trade dress” and misappropriated their “name, likeness,and identity.”
The verdict marks a significant victory for OMG Girlz, who has been outspoken about their fight against MGA.
“This is for creatives everywhere,” said Bahja Rodriguez, a member of the group. “No longer will we be bullied into silence when it comes to others profiting off of our ideas and creativity.”
Tiny Harris, who has been particularly vocal about the case, also expressed her satisfaction with the verdict. “I’m so proud of my daughters and their team for standing up for what’s right,” she said.
MGA Entertainment, which is known for other popular toy brands such as Bratz and Mini Verse, has denied the allegations of infringement and misappropriation.
The company’s attorneys argued that the “L.O.L. Surprise! O.M.G.” dolls were original creations and that there was no confusion among consumers.
However, the jury ultimately sided with OMG Girlz, awarding them $17.9 million in real damages and $53.6 million in punitive damages.
The verdict sends a clear message to corporations that they cannot profit from the intellectual property of others without facing serious consequences.
Boluwatife Enome
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