The popular toy-maker, Mattel Inc., is suing the company that is responsible for Rap Snacks, citing trademark violations connected to Nicki Minaj’s new potato chips.
Mattel Inc. filed a lawsuit in Los Angeles in order to be granted a court order to stop Rap Snacks from using the Barbie Name. Rap Snacks has a product called “Barbie-Que Honey Truffle” Chips. Their bags feature the performer’s name and image; thus, the lawsuit cites infringement on Mattel’s Barbie trademark.
Mattel Inc. has its own Barbie snack food products. They state that the Barbie-Que Honey Truffle Chips deceptively link the product with the billion-dollar Barbie brand and causes the customer to be unsure.
Minaj has been known to use the Barbie doll as a part of her hip-hop role. In 2011, she teamed up with Mattel on a doll for charity.
Minaj has not been mentioned in the lawsuit.
In June, Barbie-Que Honey Truffle Chips was launched. This made Minaj among several other stars who have their own flavors. These include Cardi B., Snoop Dogg, Boosie, Migos, and Rick Ross.
The complaint adds that Rap Snacks never requested permission to use the Barbie name in relation to the chips. They have cited federal unfair competition, false designation of origin, federal trademark dilution, and state unfair competition.
Reports indicate that Mattel is asking for all earnings from sales of the Barbie-Que Chips.
