Summary: Snaplight Inc. is suing Kim Kardashian for $100 million.
Kim Kardashian is well-known for her sexy selfies, but what’s the secret to taking great pics? Kardashian revealed that one tool she uses is a selfie-light called LuMee, but that admission may end up costing her $100 million!
According to The Hollywood Reporter, Snaplight filed a patent infringement lawsuit in California on Monday. The company said that it owned a patent for a cell phone case lighting accessory that would allow users to take beautiful selfies and that Kardashian’s endorsement of a rival company hurt Snaplight’s bottom line.
The patent was filed by Hooshmand Harooni in 2013, and he licensed his technology to Snaplight. In the lawsuit, the company said it has been “extremely difficult for Snaplight to compete in the selfie case market,” especially with Kardashian’s endorsement of LuMee. The reality star has 165 million social media followers across the three major platforms of Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.
Snaplight’s founder Bardia Rahim told BBC that LuMee was trying to monopolize the market using Kardashian, who the company said received a cut of LuMee’s profits.
“It’s illegal to try and monopolize the market, but more than that, it’s un-American to do it when you’re being deceptive and unethical the entire time,” Rahim said.
Kardashian’s company, Kimsaprincess Inc., and Urban Outfitters are listed as defendants. Urban Outfitters was included in the lawsuit because the brand “benefitted financially through increased sales of the LuMee selfie cases.”
Snaplight wants $100 million in damages and for Kardashian to stop promoting and using LuMee cases.
Besides this lawsuit, Snaplight and LuMee have a history of litigation. In November, LuMee sued Snaplight, accusing them of infringing on their patent. The case is pending in Delaware.
Kardashian’s rep told The Hollywood Reporter that this lawsuit was a “shakedown.”
“The patent lawsuit filed by Snap Light has no merit and is just another attempted shakedown. Kim has done absolutely nothing wrong,” the rep said.
LuMee sent out their own press release calling Snaplight’s lawsuit “meritless.”
“LuMee was disappointed to learn about the lawsuit filed against Kim Kardashian West by Snaplight, LLC, alleging patent infringement with regard to her involvement with LuMee. The lawsuit has no merit and Kim has done nothing wrong. LuMee is an innovator of illuminated cell phone cases and was the first to market. Between its patents, copyrights and trademarks, LuMee has developed substantial intellectual property rights surrounding its product line,” LuMee said.
Kardashian is frequently seen on social media using the LuMee case. The star of Keeping Up with the Kardashians and wife of Kanye West has a net worth of $53 million, according to The Sun. Her family which includes Kris Jenner, Khloe Kardashian, Kourtney Kardashian, Kylie Jenner, and Kendall Jenner have a combined estimated fortune of $198 million.
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