Reality TV mogul Kim Kardashian finds herself embroiled in a fresh legal dispute, this time with one of the world's largest sexual wellness brands. The conflict centres on the trademark for her expanding skincare line, SKKN by Kim.
The Core of the Conflict
In June and July, Kardashian's company, Kimsaprincess Inc., filed three separate trademark applications to cover fragrances, nutritional supplements, and moisturisers. However, these applications have now been formally opposed by LifeStyles Healthcare, the world's second-largest seller of condoms.
The crux of the opposition lies in the similarity between Kardashian's proposed SKKN brand and LifeStyles' established SKYN range. LifeStyles, which also sells lubricants and sex toys, markets its SKYN condoms as being made from a 'revolutionary' non-latex material designed for a softer, more natural feel. The company has been granted extra time to file its full opposition documents in all three cases.
A Legal Heavyweight Showdown
Both parties have enlisted formidable legal teams for the battle. Kim Kardashian has hired the law firm Dickinson Wright, which specialises in representing celebrities and describes itself as the go-to for 'actors, celebrities, authors, and comedians'.
On the other side, LifeStyles Healthcare, which was bought by Chicago-based private equity giants Linden Capital Partners in 2022, has retained top Hollywood lawyers Greenberg Traurig. This firm boasts a roster of A-list clients and includes attorneys like Mathew Rosengart, who successfully freed Britney Spears from her 13-year conservatorship.
A History of Trademark Troubles
This is not the first trademark challenge for SKKN by Kim. Back in 2022, Kim was forced to abandon plans to trademark the name after facing opposition from model Lori Harvey's similarly named skincare line, SKN by LH. In a separate case that same year, Brooklyn-based spa Beauty Concepts, which uses the name SKKN+, also sued Kim's company, leading to the application being abandoned.
The Kardashian-Jenner family is no stranger to intellectual property disputes, though they are often the ones initiating legal action to protect their brands. In August, Kimsaprincess Inc. filed a notice of opposition against a Chinese online seller attempting to trademark 'Kim K Bob Wigs', claiming it falsely suggested a connection to her. Her sister, Kylie Jenner, has also successfully stopped trademark applications for names she deemed too similar to her own brands.
As the legal teams prepare their arguments, representatives for both Kim Kardashian and LifeStyles Healthcare have so far declined to comment on the ongoing case.
