Lala Kent‘s giving her former business partner a lawsuit.
The Vanderpump Rules star filed a complaint in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California last Tuesday alleging that her former cosmetics business partner is continuing to use her Give Them Lala trademark as well as her name and likeness without permission, Bloomberg Law reported.
“Ms. Kent is a television celebrity, entrepreneur, business owner, model, brand ambassador, and social media influencer,” the complaint reads. “Ms. Kent has been immensely successful in developing and promoting her own fashion, beauty, and other products, including under the GIVE THEM LALA mark. In addition to owning the GIVE THEM LALA mark, Plaintiff is the owner by assignment of Ms. Kent’s publicity rights including her name, image, and likeness.”
According to the complaint, Lala entered into a two-year partnership with Cosmesi LLC through her company, Lala Kent Inc., to develop, market and sell cosmetics, with each partner putting in $20,000 and retaining a 50% interest in the venture. Though that agreement expired at the end of 2021, Cosmesi continued to operate the Give Them Lala cosmetics line, the complaint alleges, and even introduced new products without Lala’s knowledge or participation.
“Incredibly, on or around July 30, 2024, without [Lala’s] consent Cosmesi introduced a new product branded with LALA IP. Specifically, Defendant introduced a new MATTE AND MOISTURE LIP WAND product (“Unlicensed Product”) in connection with the Give Them Lala brand. The Unlicensed Product is listed for sale on the website www.givethemlala.com and marketed on Instagram under the @givethemlalabeauty account.”
Per Lala’s original agreement, Cosmesi “shall not manufacture, sell, distribute or promote any Products or materials utilizing the LALA IP without LalaCo’s prior written approval as to the Products, the promotional materials, marketing plans, and distribution channels,” the complaint detailed.
The Instagram account for the cosmetics line remains active and regularly features pictures and videos of Lala. The Give Them Lala website continues to promote her involvement with the brand and features the description, “CRUELTY FREE beauty products made with love to make your make-up dreams come true! Designed and developed by Lala Kent.”
Lala is seeking relief for breach of contract, trademark infringement, violation of her right of publicity, unfair business practices, and unjust enrichment on the part of Cosmesi. Her complaint asks for compensatory and punitive damages, and preliminary and permanent injunction that would prohibit Cosmesi from using her intellectual property, name, images, likeness, persona and trademarks. She’s also seeking to have her attorneys’ fees and costs covered.
Cosmesi did not immediately respond to Bloomberg Law’s request for comment.
Lala is being represented by Jeff Grant and Matthew Follett of the law firm Fox Rothschild LLP. Lala’s most-famous legal representative, Darrell “Send it to Darrell” Miller, is also a partner with the firm.
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(Photos: Instagram)
