Kylie Minogue and Kylie Jenner are caught up in a heated trademark battle over their identical first names. Minogue has filed a notice of opposition last week to challenge Jenner's bid in the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office to license the word "Kylie" to her.
According to Time, Jenner sought to trademark "Kylie" in May last year to protect her brand name as she expands her beauty and clothing brand. More specifically, the trademarking aims to provide "information by means of a global computer network in the fields of entertainment, fashion and pop culture." The 18-year-old reality show star filed trademark applications for "Kylie Jenner" and her moniker "Kylie".
Renowned Australian pop star Kylie Minogue, represented by an Australian law firm, field her notice of opposition on Feb. 22. Minogue's representative claims that Jenner's application would "dilute her brand" and confuse the fans.
The Washington Post noted that Minogue's notice also went on to throw shade at Jenner, calling her a "secondary reality television personality" who gained popularity on social media "where her photographic exhibitionism and controversial posts have drawn criticism from, e.g. the Disability Rights and African-American communities."
The 47-year-old "Come In My World" singer currently owns several trademark registrations for "Kylie" under entertainment services and music records, including the name of her perfume brand "Kylie Minogue Darling" and recording "Lucky - the Kylie Minogue Musical." Minogue is also the proud owner of www.Kylie.com since 1996.
Apart from appearing in "Keeping Up with the Kardashians" with the rest of her clan, Kylie Jenner has ventured into the fashion industry with her lipstick brand "Lip Kit by Kylie" and titular smartphone app "Kylie".
Jenner and her rep made no comment on Minogue's filing.
Trademarking disputes involving celebrities have become increasingly common as they seek to protect their brands and other properties, the Guardian wrote. In January 2012, Beyoncé and Jay Z filed a trademark application for their daughter's name, Blue Ivy Carter.
Trademarking a first name is allowed so long as it is considered distinctive. Whether such is the case or not is largely under the discretion of the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.
