We reported earlier that yet again, the shrewd sibling trio were on another business venture. Dissatisfied with a top selling clothing line, perfumes and a reality show; the Kardashian sisters have teamed up with US retail store, Sears, to launch Kardashian Kollection. But all hasn’t been smooth sailing for their latest business enterprise, after womenswear designer Monika Botkier took to the brand’s blog, Planet Botkier, and accused the Kardashian’s of copying the Botkier ‘Clyde’ bag in a post aptly named ‘K is for Knock-off’.
The culprit in question: the leopard-print faux leather handbag, which quite frankly is a spitting image of the ‘Clyde’, is surprisingly no longer featured on the Sears website. Strange, considering the Kardashians must be pressing to prove they aren’t in the wrong.
But Jupi Corporation – providers of the license under which the brand is produced –keenly expressed their opinion on the matter in a statement released in light of the ‘Kopryright’ allegations. “Jupi is aware of pre-existing handbag designs bearing substantial style similarities to the 2009 Botkier Clyde handbag, dating back to 2005. Jupi was also surprised by Botkier’s statements in the media about purported “knock offs” of Botkier handbags in light of other comments in the media noting the similarity of Botkier bags to pre-existing Balenciaga bags.”
Some strong comments were put forward by Jupi Corporation, but the evidence speaks for itself. In an industry riddled with counterfeit goods and little in the way of protection from supposed copyright infringement (Louboutin vs. YSL); it’s unsurprising then that brands are quick to wage legal wars to protect themselves as much as they can.
I admire the ambition and sound business acumen the Kardashian sisters possess, having so astutely cashed in on their famous-for-being-famous image; but the old adage still firmly stands: once bitten, twice shy. Only last year, the trio were in the spotlight for reasons other than their larger-than-life existence; after endorsing a financially unsound pre-paid MasterCard, aimed at teenagers and complete predatory hidden fees. Maybe such rapid expansion in all areas of business isn’t such a wise idea after all – at least make the ideas original or just stick with reality TV.
