Kim Kardashian’s company, Kimsaprincess Inc., is in trouble for its endorsement of LuMee, the light-up phone case that makes it ideal for taking selfies. Snaplight on Monday filed a patent infringement lawsuit in California federal court. According to the complaint, a man named Hooshmand Harooni filed a patent in 2013 for an “integrated lighting accessory and case for a mobile phone device.” Harooni then licensed his invention to Snaplight, which argues that “it has been extremely difficult for Snaplight to compete in the selfie case market” with Kardashian’s promotion of LuMee to her 165 million-plus social followers across Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.
Snaplight’s accuse
Snaplight is asking the court to stop the reality star from further promoting and using the LuMee cases. The California-based company is also asking for $100 million in damages.In November, LuMee filed a lawsuit against Snaplight for infringing on its patent. That case is currently pending in Delaware federal court. A rep for Kardashian sent The Hollywood Reporter a statement Monday evening: “The patent lawsuit filed by Snap Light has no merit and is just another attempted shakedown. Kim has done absolutely nothing wrong.”
A rep for LuMee added the following statement: “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.”
