Starbucks is once again facing legal action from Balmuccino, a Los Angeles-based company, which has filed its third lawsuit against the coffee giant, accusing it of stealing its concept for coffee-flavored lipstick and lip gloss.
Balmuccino, whose leadership includes a sister-in-law of TV personality Dr. Mehmet Oz, alleges that it began developing coffee-flavored lip balms in 2016 and pitched the fully developed concept to Starbucks executives in October 2018. The meeting, arranged by Dr. Oz, was held at Starbucks’ New York office, where Balmuccino presented prototypes and other confidential information.
According to Balmuccino, Starbucks subsequently launched a similar product, the "S'mores Frappuccino Sip Kit," in April 2019, which included lipstick and lip gloss in four shades: Campfire Spark, Chocolicious Bliss, Graham Glam, and Marshmallow Glow.
Balmuccino claims it received no compensation or acknowledgment for its contribution to the product's development.
This latest legal action comes after two previous lawsuits were dismissed on procedural grounds by a Seattle federal judge, most recently in July 2023. Balmuccino's current lawsuit, filed in Manhattan federal court, argues that it is not too late to seek damages due to New York's legal provisions that allow certain plaintiffs to pause the statute of limitations when suing in an incorrect jurisdiction.
The case, Balmuccino LLC v. Starbucks Corp, is ongoing, with Balmuccino seeking unspecified compensatory and punitive damages.
Starbucks has not yet issued a public response to the lawsuit.
Balmuccino, whose leadership includes a sister-in-law of TV personality Dr. Mehmet Oz, alleges that it began developing coffee-flavored lip balms in 2016 and pitched the fully developed concept to Starbucks executives in October 2018. The meeting, arranged by Dr. Oz, was held at Starbucks’ New York office, where Balmuccino presented prototypes and other confidential information.
According to Balmuccino, Starbucks subsequently launched a similar product, the "S'mores Frappuccino Sip Kit," in April 2019, which included lipstick and lip gloss in four shades: Campfire Spark, Chocolicious Bliss, Graham Glam, and Marshmallow Glow.
Balmuccino claims it received no compensation or acknowledgment for its contribution to the product's development.
This latest legal action comes after two previous lawsuits were dismissed on procedural grounds by a Seattle federal judge, most recently in July 2023. Balmuccino's current lawsuit, filed in Manhattan federal court, argues that it is not too late to seek damages due to New York's legal provisions that allow certain plaintiffs to pause the statute of limitations when suing in an incorrect jurisdiction.
The case, Balmuccino LLC v. Starbucks Corp, is ongoing, with Balmuccino seeking unspecified compensatory and punitive damages.
Starbucks has not yet issued a public response to the lawsuit.