Kristin Cavallari Takes Jewelry Designer To Court For Accusing Her Of Ripping Off Designs

Kristin Cavallari first rose to fame in 2004 as a cast member on the popular MTV reality television series Laguna Beach: The Real Orange County. Earlier this year, she was accused of ripping off designs for her jewelry company, Uncommon James. It appears, Kristin is firing back at accusations she ripped off a famed jewelry designer who is favored by Michelle Obama and Taylor Swift.

According to court documents obtained by Radar Online, the 35-year-old reality star is shutting down the accusations brought by Rachel Beth Katz. Katz sued Cavallari and her jewelry company, Uncommon James, accusing them of infringing on her copyrights and trademarks.

“[Katz] designed and offered for sale two distinctive jewelry pieces, which are her “Diamond Dagger Ring” and her “Diamond Dagger Cuff.” Those pieces use her “Dagger Style” of jewelry design, which constitute the Designs protected by [Katz’s] registered trademarks and copyrights.”

Katz claimed that Cavallari’s company copied her designs. She first noticed the alleged infringement when visiting Cavallari’s store in January 2021. Now, Cavallari is denying all allegations of wrongdoing and is countersuing Katz. She argues her pieces were independently created and even claims the trademarks/copyrights in question are invalid or void.

In her countersuit, the star alleges the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office notified Katz in 2016 that her designs were not distinctive enough to qualify on the Principal Register. The USPTO eventually put the designs on a secondary list, but it does not have the same protections.

Cavallari is now asking the court to dismiss the original complaint. She also wants the court to order Katz’ designs are not copyrightable. This is a developing story and we will be on the look out for more updates. Stay tuned to Thirsty.

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