Judge Declares Mistrial In OMG Dolls Lawsuit After ‘Cultural Appropriation’ Testimony

The popular manufacturer children’s toy L.O.L. Surprise! Surprise!

Toymaker MGA Entertainment currently participates in intellectual property dispute T.I. T.I. pop group OMG Girlz. OMG Girlz was sued by Clifford T.I. Harris and Tameka, Xscape singer “Tiny” Harris, mother to Zonnique Pullins, an ex-member of OMG Girlz, per Bloomberg Law 

The lawsuit sought a declaratory judgment that OMG Dolls didn’t infringe on the intellectual property rights of the former band. MGA was sent a cease and desist notice requesting they stop selling these toys.

From 2009 to 2015, the OMG Girlz performed. They countered by claiming that the toys company had stolen their names and likenesses, plus they sought damages. They claimed the dolls were copied from OMG Girlz. “intentionally designed to trade on the OMG Girlz’ likeness and brand.”

The OMG Girlz also claimed cultural appropriation. They said that MGA Entertainment’s CEO Isaac Larian was using the dolls. “to misappropriate the likeness of black female artists.” 

The Central District of California Judge James V. Selna barred testimony regarding the alleged racism in cultural appropriation.

The trial began on January 17th and was abruptly stopped this week by the introduction prohibited statements mentioning cultural theft. The jury heard testimony from a woman. “did not want to support a company that steals from African Americans and their ideas.” 

According to court documents, Judge Selna agreed that the woman’s testimony regarding cultural appropriation was considered a “rant” MGA Entertainment, and it was prejudicial. 

T.I.’s lawyer, Erin Ranahan, tried to get Judge Selna to reconsider, claiming the testimony didn’t help their case. The judge ultimately declared a mistrial.

Pullins previously posted photos of OMG Girlz next images of OMG Dolls and invited her Instagram followers for feedback on how they felt about the similarities. Many of them agreed that dolls look similar. 

“Two things will not be disputed: Isaac Larian and MGA have sold a lot of OMG dolls,” Attorney David Scheper said During his opening statements. “And the OMG Girlz and their family have never asked for permission, never given permission and never made a penny from all those sales.”

“This case is about greed. That’s what it’s about. It’s a shakedown,” MGA attorney Jennifer Keller refuted. 

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