Kim Kardashian is being sued by the Judd Foundation, a nonprofit organization dedicated to preserving the legacy of artist Donald Judd, over claims of featuring counterfeit Judd furniture in a YouTube video.
Filed in a California federal court on Wednesday, the lawsuit accuses the reality TV star and entrepreneur of false endorsement for allegedly promoting imitation Judd tables and chairs as authentic.
These replicas were reportedly made by Los Angeles-based interior design firm Clements Design for Kardashian’s skincare company, SKKN by Kim.
Courtesy: TMZ
The complaint highlights that Kardashian's video tour of her company's offices in 2022 misled viewers into believing she owned genuine Donald Judd pieces.
"If you guys are furniture people, because I've really gotten into furniture lately, these Donald Judd tables are really amazing and totally blend in with the seats," Kardashian stated in the video, sparking coverage from several media outlets mistakenly reporting the presence of actual Judd furniture.
Courtesy: Newyork Times
This, the foundation argues, led consumers to falsely associate Kardashian and her brand with the esteemed Judd Foundation.
Despite attempts at resolution, the foundation claims that demands for recycling the fake furniture, removing the video, or releasing corrective advertisements were ignored by both Kardashian and Clements Design, leaving litigation as their only recourse.
As of now, representatives for Kim Kardashian and Clements Design have not responded to the lawsuit's allegations.
The case shines a light on the complexities of intellectual property rights and the impact of celebrity endorsements on brand integrity and legacy preservation.
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