What’s in a name?
Plenty if you ask actress Kate Hudson, who files suit against rival company
Kate Hudson has hit bosses at activewear subscription service Fabcrate with a new lawsuit, insisting their name is too similar to her brand Fabletics.
The 39-year-old, the daughter of Goldie Hawn and her ex-husband, Bill Hudson, founded the business in 2013 and offers a subscription service providing women’s sportswear, footwear and accessories, while selling direct through 22 Fabletics stores in the U.S.
Hudson believes Fabcrate is confusing customers, not just because of its title but because a similar subscription service is offered by those running the brand. Fabcrate, which debuted in 2017, distributes similar items in curated crates.
According to The Blast, executives at Fabletics claim they reached out to the heads of the lifestyle seller to try and resolve the issue but they were “unresponsive.”
In the lawsuit, it is also alleged that workers at Fabcrate are not following proper procedure and law for operating their business and are therefore causing damage to the lifestyle industry. In the filing, the Fabcrate creators have been asked to cease operation immediately and turn over their profits.
Though Hudson maintains the existence of Fabcrate is damaging to her brand, Fabletics has had a highly profitable run since its launch.
According to Forbes, the company is currently valued at US$250 million.
Hudson developed the brand along with entrepreneurs Adam Goldenberg and Don Ressler, who serves as chief executive.
Earlier this month, the Almost Famous star teamed up with her mother, Hawn, for a clothing line released under the brand that served to raise funds for the Snatched star’s mental health charity, Mindup.
The collection was unveiled just before Hudson gave birth to her daughter, Rani Rose, on Oct. 2.