Kim Kardashian’s upcoming skincare line has run across some trademark issues. Earlier this month the reality show star’s company Kimsaprincess Inc. filed paperwork to trademark the SKKN name. Weeks later her legal team received the letter from black business owner Cyndie Lunsford who has been using the name and also put in for the trademark is demanding that Kim not use the name.
Beauty Concepts, owned by 28-year-old Cydnie Lunsford, uses the same SKKN block letters on its website and social media handles. On March 28, the brand applied to trademark the SKKN name and Kardashian filed her trademark on March 30. According to reports, lawyers for Beauty Concepts LLC claim that the Brooklyn, N.Y.-based brand has been offering salon, skincare, and spa services under its SKKN+ brand name since July 2017.
“I have painstakingly built my successful small business with my own sweat equity, hard work, and research,” said Lunsford in a statement. “It’s clear that I established my brand first.”
The Kardashian Team responds with the following statement “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.” Says Michael G. Rhodes, Kardashian’s attorney told TMZ. “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.” He adds.
In light of what’s happening Kim, also just recently announced to her five million followers in a post that states ” 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 brands with new formulas that are more modern, innovative, and packaged in an elevated and sustainable new look.” its unclear whether SKKN may be the replacement for KKW Beauty as it will not have any references to her second last name. I guess will have to wait and see.
