Photo Courtesy of Kim Kardashian/ Instagram
Page Six reported that reality TV star Kim Kardashian recently attempted to file a trademark for SKKN and SKKN by KIM but was hit with a cease and desist letter because the name was already in use by Cyndie Lunsford.
Lunsford, a Black woman who is the small business owner of Beauty Concepts LLC, claims that her company has already secured the brand name for salon, skincare and spa services.
She also claims to have been operating her business under the SKKN+ brand name since 2018.
Kardashian’s planned for the SKKN brand, which included skincare, haircare, nail care, perfumes and candle products, would be the name for her beauty brand’s relaunch.
Lunsford is requesting that Kardashian give up the brand name because it would confuse customers.
She also said Beauty Concepts LLC applied to trademark the SKKN+ name on March 28, a few days before Kardashian filed hers, on March 30.
“I have painstakingly built my successful small business with my own sweat equity, hard work, and research,” said Lunsford.
“It’s clear that I established my brand first,” she added.
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Kardashian’s lawyer had a few words to say on the matter.
Michael G. Rhodes, Kardashian’s attorney, told TMZ, “We certainly appreciate and support small businesses, and our hat is off to Ms. Lunsford. But the question at hand is one of trademark law, and we’ve not done anything deserving of legal action by her.”
He added, “We are disappointed that she has chosen to run to the media knowing that we were scheduling a call for tomorrow, requested by her attorney. So while disagreeing with the letter, we’re hopeful that we can smooth things over once both sides speak.”
Kardashian’s KKW website is currently shut down while she works out the kinks of her future line.
Kardashian tweeted, “On August 1st at midnight, we will be shutting down the KKWBeauty.com site so that we can come back to you under a completely new brand with new formulas that are more modern, innovative, and packaged in an elevated and sustainable new look.”
Over the past decade, Kardashian has been accused of stealing other brands’ ideas. It appears the reality star doesn’t have an original bone in her body. We will keep you posted on the outcome.