Kim Kardashian Sued by Judd Foundation over Counterfeit Furniture

American reality TV star and entrepreneur Kim Kardashian is being sued by the Judd Foundation, a non-profit organisation dedicated to preserving the legacy of artist Donald Judd.

The organisation has filed a lawsuit against Kardashian in California federal court, alleging that she featured counterfeit versions of Judd's furniture in a YouTube video.

According to the complaint, Kardashian falsely described tables and chairs produced by Los Angeles-based interior design firm Clements Design as genuine Judd furniture. The foundation accuses Kardashian of false endorsement, while Clements Design faces allegations of false advertising, unfair competition, trademark infringement, and copyright infringement.

Representatives for Kardashian and Clements Design have yet to respond to requests for comment on the lawsuit.

Rainer Judd, president of the Judd Foundation and daughter of the late artist, emphasised the importance of Judd's furniture to his legacy, stating that counterfeit pieces undermine the integrity of his original work.

Donald Judd, a renowned figure in minimalist art, passed away in 1994. His works are housed in prestigious museums such as the Museum of Modern Art in New York and the Tate Modern in London. The foundation ensures that Judd's furniture designs are faithfully reproduced according to his specifications.

The complaint alleges that Kardashian's skincare company, SKKN by Kim, hired Clements Design to produce furniture in Judd's style for its offices. Kardashian purportedly showcased the counterfeit furniture in a 2022 YouTube video tour of the offices, which was later removed.

The lawsuit claims that Kardashian's statements in the video misled viewers into believing that the furniture was authentic Judd pieces. Despite attempts to rectify the situation, including requests to recycle the furniture, delete the video, or issue corrective advertising, Clements Design and Kardashian allegedly refused to comply.

The Judd Foundation asserts that it had no choice but to pursue legal action to protect the integrity of Donald Judd's legacy and ensure accurate representation of his work.

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