T.I. & Tiny Harris — Judge Grants Couple 3rd Trial Against Toymaker Accused Of Stealing Image & Likeness Of OMG Girlz

T.I., Tiny, OMG Girls

T.I. & Tiny Harris — Judge Grants Couple 3rd Trial Against Toymaker Accused Of Stealing Image & Likeness Of OMG Girlz

Hopefully, the third time will be the charm for T.I. and Tiny.

According to Legal affairs journalist Meghann Cuniff, the famed couple was given another chance at their trade dress lawsuit against toymaker MGA Entertainment. As previously reported, the pair believes MGA Entertainment stole the image and likeness of the girl band OMG Girlz to create its LOL Surprise! OMG Dolls line. As you may recall, Tiny founded the singing group in 2009 and her daughter Zonnique Pullins is a member alongside Bahja Rodriguez and Breaunna Womack.

theJasmineBRAND co-owener and OMG GIRLZ

In January, their case ended in a mistrial, and in May a jury decided the toy company was not guilty of any legal wrongdoings. Reportedly, the jury was informed that the dolls “are an expressive work that is protected by the First Amendment,” which played into their final verdict.

However, a U.S. Supreme Court ruling over a dog toy that has striking similarities to a Jack Daniel’s whiskey bottle has given T.I. and Tiny a third go at their multi-million dollar suit.

T.I. & Tiny Harris

In June, the highest court ruled in favor of Jack Daniel’s Properties Inc. — the company that owns Tennessee whiskey — against VIP Products’ $15 dog toy, Bad Spaniels. It was ultimately decided that the line of dog toys was not protected by the First Amendment.

Following Jack Daniel’s historic win, attorneys for T.I. and Tiny said the opinion of the Supreme Court was “directly on point” to their lawsuit against MGA and the previous verdict should be disregarded.

On Friday (Sept. 15) Judge Selna agreed with the motion and granted the pair a new trial. However, he reportedly said today (Sept. 18) that things may not kick off until 2024.

What are your thoughts on this entire situation? Tell us in the comments below. 

[VIA: 1,2]