Vanderpump Rules Star Sues Ex-Business Partner Over Trademark

Bravo TV personality Lala Kent sued a cosmetics company, alleging it continued to use her trademark without permission after their joint business venture dissolved.

“The Vanderpump Rules” star’s company Lala Kent Inc. argued Cosmesi LLC’s “unlicensed” lip product—released in July in connection with the “Give Them Lala” brand—is a “gross intentional misappropriation” of Kent’s intellectual property. The company asked the US District Court for the Central District of California for damages and a permanent injunction in its Tuesday complaint.

Kent promotes her fashion and beauty products under the registered “Give Them Lala” trademark, the complaint said. Beginning in December 2019, her company licensed her trademark and publicity rights to Belle Vierge LLC, the cosmetics business she started with Cosmesi.

Kent agreed to be Belle Vierge’s brand ambassador, and Cosmesi wasn’t allowed to promote any products without her written approval, the filing said.

Two years later, Belle Vierge dissolved operations.

Cosmesi was required under the companies’ agreement to wind down operations and sell its existing inventory, but it “ultimately refused to live up to its promises to cease sales,” the complaint said. The cosmetics company released a new “matte and moisture lip wand” in July in connection with Kent’s brand without permission, Kent alleged.

Kent’s company argued Cosmesi “maliciously deceived and confused” consumers, damaging Kent’s reputation. Cosmesi has been “unjustly enriched” to Kent’s detriment, it said.

Cosmesi didn’t immediately return Bloomberg Law’s request for comment.

Fox Rothschild LLP represents Lala Kent Inc. Cosmesi’s counsel has yet to enter an appearance.

The case is Lala Kent, Inc. v. Cosmesi, LLC, C.D. Cal., No. 2:24-cv-07713, complaint filed 9/10/24.