KIM Kardashian plans on relaunching her KKW beauty line as SKKN in early 2022 but is in a legal war with a business owner over the new name, The Sun can exclusively reveal.
The small business owner has vowed to “vigorously” take “every action” possible to shut down the beauty billionaire’s latest venture.
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Following her filing for divorce from Kanye West, 44, last year, the entrepreneur announced she was shutting down her famed cosmetics line with plans of a complete rebrand.
Sources told The Sun last year that Kim, 41, wanted to rebrand the line since KKW stood for her married name, “Kim Kardashian West,” which she has since filed to change following her single-status.
The Sun has obtained documents that show the SKIMS founder filed a trademark to acquire the name SKKN that will cover “retail store services featuring skin, cosmetics, hair, nail and beauty products, tools and accessories, fragrances, perfumes, candles, vitamins and supplements” along with many more departments, including home furnishings.
However, the reality star is being met with legal pushback from Cydnie Lunsford, the owner of SKKN+, a Black-owned spa and beauty center in New York City.
According to legal documents obtained by The Sun, SKKN+ has been using the small business’ moniker since “at least 2018” – years before Kim filed to use the same name for her company.
In addition to having her own spa, Cyndie also sells lines of SKKN+ products that can be purchased on her website or in the store.
The Sun spoke with attorney Erik Pelton, who is representing Cyndie and SKKN+, and said that despite their “multiple attempts” to block Kim from pursuing this, she is still “pushing the name.”
“We are still unresolved,” the lawyer claimed after several attempts to stop SKKN by Kim from coming to fruition, including serving the TV personality with a cease and desist letter back in July.
“My client will take every action to protect themselves and to stop that, which will likely include going to court sooner.”
“The best resolution is for [Kim] to choose a different name. She’s been on notice for this for months already,” Erik urged, claiming his client wants “no financial compensation” and just wants Kim switch her business’ name.
Erik then explained that there is only so much he can do legally at this time but that will change if, or when, Kim launches SKKN and begins to profit off of the name.
“Until there are sales [from Kim’s new line], there isn’t even an option for a legal proceeding because there is a different type of damage that had been done, it’s more hypothetical.
“Once a launch takes place, that would change everything. But we will pursue every legal action vigorously to protect my client,” he claimed.
GETTING UNDER THEIR SKKN
While Erik said that he has had “some discussions” with Kim’s team, the issue “remains unresolved.”
Their most recent legal action took place on December 27 with a new notice of opposition attempting to block Kim’s trademark.
However, Kim’s attorney has “not yet answered” that specific filing.
The latest trademark filing also showed that the NYC beauty center is in the process of expanding to a “larger and more visible” brick & mortar location in Brooklyn, with the SKKN+ sign already up outside.
After being asked about someone powerful like Kim getting into a dispute with a small, Black-owned business, Erik said: “Well with the climate of the past year, I think it’s fair to say we hear those comments loud and clear from other commenters and customers.
“We don’t disagree with that and we’re certainly concerned with that as well.”
KIM’S RESPONSE
When contacted for comment by The Sun, Michael Rhodes, who serves on Kim’s counsel, said: “Without getting into the nuances of trademark law, suffice it to say that we disagree with their position.
“We made substantial efforts to work this out with them but were met with stonewalling. As such, we will protect Ms. Kardashian’s rights via the Trademark Office process.”
Kim has not yet made the official announcement of what her new line will be named, or when it will launch, however, she did recently confirm it will be “early” 2022.
Earlier this year, The KUWTK star shocked fans as she announced her famed cosmetics line will temporarily shut down and undergo a dramatic makeover.
END OF AN ERA
In a lengthy Instagram statement, she wrote: “To our loyal customers. It all started with a contour kit and expanded to eyes, lips, body and many incredible collections over the past four years.
“On August 1st at midnight we will be shutting down the KKWBeauty.com site so that we can come back to you under a completely new brand with new formulas that are more modern, innovative and packaged in an elevated and sustainable new look.”
She added: “I’m excited to continue to develop and expand my product range and for you to finally be able to experience it the way that I have always envisioned.”
Last month, a source told The Sun that Kim will “relaunch her beauty brand early next year with sleeker, sexier and more elegant packaging.”
The insider claimed that the KKW reboot will “no longer have ‘West’ or ‘W’ attached” following her divorce from Kanye.
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