By Status Ain't Hood Staff
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June 10, 2026
Nearly two years after winning a major intellectual property case against toy company MGA Entertainment, T.I. and Tiny are returning to federal court as their long-running legal battle enters a new phase. The husband-and-wife duo, along with their OMG Girlz brand, will face MGA in a fourth trial beginning June 23 in Santa Ana, California. This time, the proceedings will focus solely on whether the company should pay punitive damages and, if so, how much. The dispute stems from a September 2024 jury verdict that awarded T.I., Tiny, and the OMG Girlz $71 million after jurors found that MGA improperly used elements associated with the teen music group when creating dolls for its popular L.O.L. Surprise! O.M.G. line. While nearly $18 million of the award covered compensatory damages, a judge later overturned the remaining $53.6 million in punitive damages, ruling that the evidence did not support the amount. Rather than accept a symbolic $1 punitive award, the plaintiffs opted for a new trial. The lawsuit alleges that MGA copied the group’s appearance, branding, hairstyles, and fashion, claims the company has consistently denied. At a final pretrial hearing, attorneys for both sides debated what evidence should be presented to jurors. A key issue is whether the term “OMG,” used by both the music group and MGA’s doll line, can be considered evidence of intentional copying. Lawyers for T.I. and Tiny argue it should be viewed alongside other similarities, while MGA contends the phrase is too common to carry legal significance. The court is also weighing whether jurors should hear allegations that MGA copied other artists’ work, including claims previously raised by singer-songwriter Victoria Monét. The upcoming trial follows a complicated legal history that includes a mistrial, a defense verdict later overturned on appeal, and the landmark 2024 judgment that reignited the dispute.