Kim Kardashian is facing a lawsuit over allegedly falsely claiming the origin of furniture in her office, sparking a legal dispute with a prestigious foundation that does not want to be “mixed up” with the TV star. Kim’s design team has since admitted to having been “blindsided” by the lawsuit.
In a 2022 promotional video, where the 43-year-old socialite toured the offices of her SKKN by Kim company, Kim was seen highlighting so-called “glam rooms,” a theater, and a kitchen installed in the 40,000-square-foot space.
The office space, immersed in rosy shades of beige, was notably furnished with minimalist designs, which Kim claimed to be mostly designed by the late Donald Clarence Judd, an American artist associated with minimalism.
The reality TV star explained: “These Donald Judd tables are really amazing and totally blend in with the seats.”
Kim Kardashian was sued by Donald Clarence Judd's foundation for allegedly falsely claiming her furniture was Judd's designs
Image credits: kimkardashian
However, as it turns out, the dining set was not designed by Donald Judd, according to the nonprofit Judd Foundation, which represents his legacy.
As a result, the foundation sued Kim on Wednesday (March 27), accusing the starlet of making false claims, The New York Times reported.
Clements Design, which the court papers say produced the tables and chairs that resembled those designed by Judd, was named in the lawsuit.
Moreover, the foundation accused the company of trademark and copyright infringement.
Image credits: SKKN BY KIM
The lawsuit, filed in the District Court for the Central District of California, USA, stated: “Consumers are likely to believe Judd Foundation and the Donald Judd brand are connected or affiliated with, or otherwise sponsored or endorsed Ms. Kardashian.
“Judd Foundation categorically prohibits customers from using purchased Donald Judd furniture for marketing and promotional purposes.”
Bored Panda has contacted Kim’s representatives for comments.
Meanwhile, Clements Design released a statement that said there were “obvious key differences” between the furnishings and that the company felt “blindsided” by the lawsuit since there had been efforts “made to resolve this issue amicably.”
In a 2022 promo video, Kim toured the offices of her SKKN by Kim company, showcasing some designs she claimed to be by Donald Judd
Image credits: SKKN BY KIM
The design company said that the Judd Foundation “was unwilling to settle on reasonable terms.”
The company, which is Kim's go-to design team, reportedly told TMZ on Thursday (March 28): "This issue was brought to our attention over a year ago.
"We communicated with the Judd Foundation’s counsel and explained to them in no uncertain terms that there were obvious key differences between the tables and chairs in Kim’s office and the Judd Foundation’s tables and chairs."
They added: "The Judd Foundation’s prior counsel acknowledged these differences and since then, we have not heard from them in over a year, and are now being blindsided with a lawsuit.
"Efforts were made to resolve this issue amicably at the time and the Judd Foundation was unwilling to settle on reasonable terms.
"These claims have absolutely no merit."
Image credits: SKKN BY KIM
The original video, which was deleted from YouTube on Wednesday following the lawsuit, showed Kim pausing in the kitchen of her California office, where tables and chairs were said to have been two Judd designs: La Mansana Table 22 and Chair 84.
The Judd furniture (the table costs $90,000, and only three authentic copies have been sold in the last 15 years) is part of how the foundation earns money, as per The Times.
Additionally, the chairs cost $9,000 each. More than 350 chairs have been sold, according to the foundation, which stamps and numbers each one.
Rainer Judd, the artist’s daughter and the president of his foundation, said: “The furniture is integral to our financial stability,” adding that revenue from the designs accounted for nearly half of the organization’s earned income.
Three days after the video first appeared, the Judd Foundation reportedly contacted Kim about the furniture.
A spokesperson responded to the complaint, according to the lawsuit, saying they were “incredibly sorry for any inconvenience this has caused the foundation” and offering to “update the video caption with a retraction,” as per The Times.
Kim claimed her tables were made by Donald Judd, which the artist's foundation later refuted in a lawsuit
Image credits: SKKN BY KIM
Nevertheless, the foundation insisted on the office tour video being removed entirely from the internet, the furniture being “recycled” (i.e. destroyed), and for the celebrity to issue a public statement.
According to The Times, Kim’s representatives countered with an offer to make a social media post in which she would support the foundation, the foundation said in court papers.
Upon negotiations remaining unresolved, the dispute will now be handled in court.
Clements Design reportedly argued that its furniture differed materially from Donald Judd’s creations.
The interior design company’s lawyer, John Ulin, reportedly wrote to the Judd Foundation: “It is simply not true that Clements Design commissioned imitation Donald Judd tables,” adding that the wood type and overall proportions were different.
“They are different tables with different designs.”
Clements Design said in a statement, believing the issue had been already settled: “The Judd Foundation’s prior counsel acknowledged these differences and since then, we have not heard from them in over a year.”
Nonetheless, the foundation reportedly pointed to an invoice from Clements Design, in which it described the furniture as “in the style of Donald Judd” and included an image owned by the Judd Foundation of the authentic dining set.
Megan Bannigan, a lawyer representing the foundation, said: “It is lower quality than Donald Judd’s furniture.
“We don’t want to be mixed up with Kim Kardashian.
“We respect what she does, but we don’t want to be involved with this.”
People were left divided on social media
