Starbucks sued for the 3rd time by Balmuccino for stealing coffee-flavoured lipstick concept
The filing followed a Seattle federal judge's July 2023 dismissal of an earlier version of the lawsuit on procedural grounds, the second such dismissal.
Starbucks is reported to have been sued for the 3rd time by Balmuccino for stealing its coffee-flavoured lipstick concept!
Balmuccino filed a lawsuit against Starbucks, accusing the company of stealing its coffee-flavoured lip balm concept and seeking damages. The case, initially brought in Los Angeles, was refiled in New York after procedural dismissals.
As reported, Balmuccino, whose leaders have included a sister-in-law of TV doctor Mehmet Oz, filed its complaint on Friday in Manhattan federal court.
The filing followed a Seattle federal judge’s July 2023 dismissal of an earlier version of the lawsuit on procedural grounds, the second such dismissal.
Balmuccino stated that it started developing coffee-flavoured lip balms in 2016 and presented them during a meeting at Starbucks’ New York office in October 2018, where it shared prototypes and other confidential information.
The Los Angeles-based company also mentioned that Dr. Oz facilitated the meeting by reaching out to Starbucks Chief Executive Howard Schultz to propose a potential joint venture.
Balmuccino said Starbucks “stole” its fully developed concept for lip balms by launching its “S’mores Frappuccino Sip Kit” in April 2019.
The kits included lipstick and gloss in four shades: Campfire Spark, Chocolicious Bliss, Graham Glam and Marshmallow Glow.
Balmuccino said Starbucks did not compensate it for selling Sip Kits and is seeking unspecified compensatory and punitive damages.
