Kroma EU Has No Standing to Sue Kardashian Sisters
Written April 3, 2019
The Eleventh Circuit on April 1, 2019, held that Kroma EU, a European cosmetics company, lacked standing to sue the Kardashian sisters for trademark infringement in the US. Kroma Makeup EU, LLC v. Boldface Licensing + Branding, Inc., 11th Cir., No. 17-14211, 4/1/19.
Kroma EU is the former European distributor of cosmetics products using the federally registered mark, KROMA. In October 2012, By Lee Tillett, Inc. (Tillett), the owner and registrant of the mark, granted an exclusive license to Kroma EU to import, sell, and distribute KROMA products in Europe.
The Kardashian sisters endorsed Boldface Licensing & Branding Inc.'s “Khroma Beauty” cosmetics line, whereupon Boldface and Tillett eventually settled a dispute over the marks. Kroma EU sued Boldface and the Kardashians for trademark infringement, and Tillett for breach of contract. The Court affirmed the lower court, finding that Kroma EU lacked standing because the license agreement only allowed Tillett to enforce the US trademark.
Kroma EU is the former European distributor of cosmetics products using the federally registered mark, KROMA. In October 2012, By Lee Tillett, Inc. (Tillett), the owner and registrant of the mark, granted an exclusive license to Kroma EU to import, sell, and distribute KROMA products in Europe.
The Kardashian sisters endorsed Boldface Licensing & Branding Inc.'s “Khroma Beauty” cosmetics line, whereupon Boldface and Tillett eventually settled a dispute over the marks. Kroma EU sued Boldface and the Kardashians for trademark infringement, and Tillett for breach of contract. The Court affirmed the lower court, finding that Kroma EU lacked standing because the license agreement only allowed Tillett to enforce the US trademark.