CHICAGO (CN) — The company that controls Frida Kahlo’s image filed a pair of lawsuits against online merchants on Monday, claiming they had sold products related to the iconic Mexican artist under unauthorized use of the company’s trademarks.
The company wants all the profits the alleged counterfeiters have made off their sales of Kahlo merchandise, or in the alternative, $2 million “for each and every counterfeit use of the asserted trademarks.”
“Defendants’ images, artwork and derivative works are virtually identical to and/or substantially similar to the Frida Kahlo works,” the company alleged in its primary complaint. “Such conduct infringes and continues to infringe the Frida Kahlo works in violation of [U.S. trademark law].”
Kahlo’s niece Isolda Pinedo Kahlo, Isolda’s daughter Maria Cristina Romeo Pinedo and Venezuelan businessman Carlos Dorado formed the company, known as the Frida Kahlo Corporation, in 2004. Based out of Panama City, Panama, it owns more than two dozen trademarks associated with Frida Kahlo, from the artist’s name and image to soaps, cigar cutters and cookware emblazoned with her likeness or works.
Read more
