Mirror, Mirror on the Wall

In July of last year, Kim Kardashian filed a lawsuit against The Gap, parent company of Old Navy, for using her doppelganger in its Old Navy commercials. She contended that using this “look-alike” was confusing and misleading for her fans, as well as a violation of her intellectual property rights and damaging to her reputation. The Gap has recently hit back, which is bringing the lawsuit back to the media’s forefront. And let me tell you, folks, there’s so much juicy goodness in this lawsuit that I’m not even entirely sure where to start. But let’s start with the term “look-alike.” To me, this implies that one person looks like another. Correct? 

Admittedly, one semester of Media Law and an attempt at the LSATs doesn’t make me a lawyer, but I’m not convinced this is a valid argument. What do you guys think? 

Separated at birth?

Sure, they both have that “everything about me is fake” look but I can’t imagine confusing one with the other, and therefore find it hard to believe that these commercials could be misleading or confusing to anyone—Kimmie’s fans included. Of course, I suppose that if you’re a Kardashian fan of any of flavor, you’re not, by definition, the sharpest eyeliner in the make-up bag.

As far as violating intellectual property rights, don’t you have to have an intellect in order to have rights to its property? I’m just saying…

But the best part of this lawsuit is, by far, The Gap’s response to KK’s contention that these commercials are damaging to her reputation. The company’s lawyers are arguing that Ms. Kartrashian’s reputation is so bad that it is in fact “libel-proof.” This essentially means that her reputation is already such a joke that it cannot be damaged any further—by the clothing giant or anyone else. That’s gotta hurt. Of course, considering her greatest claims to fame are a sex tape and a fake 72-day marriage, I think The Gap has a solid case.

And, as if the defense against her isn’t humiliating enough, Kim’s ex-boyfriend Reggie Bush is adding insult to injury by wining and dining the alleged look-alike, Melissa Molinaro.

Don’t worry, though, Kim. Maybe Reggie was just confused. Maybe he thought he was actually on a date with you.

After all, you know what they say about Kim Kardashian fans…