Kim Kardashian launched her SKKN by KIM collection in the midst of allegations of her stealing from Lori Harvey’s brand SKN by LH. 

Naturally, this caused a lot of conversation considering that the Kardashians have been accused throughout the years of stealing from Black culture and its influences.

The plot thickened even further when another Black-owned brand Beauty Concepts, LLC, owned and operated by Cydnie Lunsford, claimed that their trademark for SKKN+, used in connection with beauty and skin spa services and in operation since 2018, was the rightful owner, NOT Kim. 

SKKN+ then made the move to oppose Kim Kardashian’s SKKN trademarks before the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), which is now currently under review with the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board. 

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Kim has filed more than ten trademarks for SKKN with the USPTO which cover a variety of products and services including beauty spa services, cosmetics, facial and body washes, candles, makeup sponges, bags, shower curtains, and more. 

To be clear neither SKKN by KIM, SKN by LH, or SKKN+ have federally registered trademarks as all of their applications are still under review with the USPTO. 

The only federally registered trademark for the mark SKN is by owned Dr. Vicki Rapaport. Dr. Vicki’s trademark for SKN, which has been in use since 1993, was just registered on April 12, 2022, for cosmetics, moisturizers, and acne treatment preparations. 

Dr. Vicki is the ONLY brand currently with a federally registered trademark for the word SKN ® and SKN BEVERLY HIILS ®. Dr. Vicki’s use of the mark SKN predates Lori’s, Kim’s, and Cydnie’s by more than 20+ years. 

I have found that not too many online blogs and articles are discussing Dr. Vicki’s ownership; however, it is central to the analysis of the trademark troubles in this case.

Who do you think is the rightful owner of the SKN mark?