Kardashian beauty line hit with injunction

US-based Boldface Group has been hit with an injunction barring it from using the Khroma name on a new line of cosmetics endorsed by reality TV stars Kourtney, Kim and Khloé Kardashian.

The decision follows a $10m lawsuit filed by Lee Tillett, founder of Florida based cosmetics company Kroma against the Kardashian sisters and Boldface on the grounds that the Khroma line was likely to cause confusion with Kroma’s previously registered trademark.

According to legal news service Law360.com, US District Court Judge Audrey B. Collins ruled that the similarity of the two names would be likely to cause confusion among customers, adding: “The court has little doubt that, in short order, the Khroma Beauty products will likely eliminate Tilletts business entirely, creating irreparable harm sufficient to justify an injunction.”

The legal hurdle is likely to cost the Kardashians. The brand has been on the expansion path, slated to roll out to mass drug stores including CVS and Duane Reade after launching in Ulta in December last year. It was also scheduled to launch in Europe this Spring in partnership with distributor Global Beauty Linx.