Witness’ Testimony About ‘Cultural Appropriation’ Causes Mistrial in T.I. and Tiny’s OMG Girlz Lawsuit

T.I. and Tiny Harris cried foul after they learned a judge declared a mistrial in their intellectual property suit against toymaker MGA, Billboard reported. On day five of the trial, Moneice Campbell, a former MGA customer, testified via videotaped depsosition that she would no longer purchase the company’s products because MGA “steals from African Americans and their ideas and profit off of it.” Campbell also claimed that “hundreds” of social media users agreed with her and added that “people often steal from the Black community and make money off of it,” according to Billboard. Judge James V. Selna agreed with MGA’s attorneys that the testimony was “inflammatory” and wouldn’t grant their client a fair trial.” The trial started January 17 and has been highly anticipated given the context of the case. The lawsuit, filed in 2021, accuses MGA of “cultural appropriation and outright theft of the intellectual property,” stealing the look of former popular girl group, OMG Girlz. Billboard reported the suit included side-by-side images, aiming to show each doll’s resemblance to the members of the group. The OMG Girlz responded with counterclaims also alleging trade dress infringement and unfair competition. They’ve sought damages and an order blocking further sale...