(KGTV) - A San Diego-based phone accessory company is suing Kim Kardashian's company for $100 million for allegedly ripping off their design for a light-up phone case.
Snaplight, founded by Bardia Rahim of San Marcos, and the case design's patent holder Hooshmand Harooni, of Los Angeles, filed the lawsuit Monday in Los Angeles federal court.
The suit claims Kardashian's Kimsaprincess company infringed on Harooni's patent for a phone case with their LuMee illuminated phone case.
Urban Outfitters, Inc., is also named as a defendant as a distributor of Kimsaprincess's LuMee case.
Harooni's design was patented in 2013 and licensed that patent to Snaplight to produce the light-up phone case.
In a statement to 10News, LuMee said the lawsuit has "no merit" and that Kardashian had done nothing wrong:
“LuMee was disappointed to learn about the lawsuit filed against Kim Kardashian West by Snaplight, LLC, alleging patent infringement with regard to her involvement with LuMee. The lawsuit has no merit and Kim has done nothing wrong. LuMee is an innovator of illuminated cell phone cases and was the first to market. Between its patents, copyrights and trademarks, LuMee has developed substantial intellectual property rights surrounding its product line. LuMee is currently asserting patent infringement against Snaplight in the District of Delaware (Case No. 16-cv-1029).”
LuMee filed a patent for an "illumination device" in 2015. The U.S Patent and Trademark Office approved it in Oct. 2016.
Rahim says his company has been the target of cease-and-desist orders from LuMee's lawyers. He said their website was taken down on 'black Friday' after LuMee threatened their website host, GoDaddy.
In a press release, Rahim said Snaplight has been bullied by Kardashian's company with false patent infringement allegations.
"LuMee began a slander campaign by creating doubt in our technological and operational integrity," Rahim said in a company release. "It’s illegal to try and monopolize the market, but more than that, it’s un-American to do it when you’re being deceptive and unethical the entire time."
