food

Mattel Sues Rap Snacks For Nicki-Minaj-branded 'Barbie-Que Honey Truffle' Chips


 

Longtime Barbie doll parent Mattel Inc. isn’t down with chip maker Rap Snacks’ Nicki Minaj-branded Barbie-Que Honey Truffle.

In a lawsuit filed last week in federal court in Los Angeles, Mattel alleged that Rap Snacks is infringing on Mattel’s trademark rights, whose origins date to 1959.

On June 30, People magazine reported exclusively that Barbie-Que Honey Truffle Potato Chips “are cleverly named after the nickname Minaj's fans have given the artist (Barbie) and the term for her fanbase (Barbz).”

Mattel sees things differently—citing images and colors associated with Barbie dolls and potential consumer confusion.

“Rap Snacks made the deliberate and calculated choice to launch a new product line using Mattel’s famous BARBIE trademark. That choice, made without any prior notice to Mattel, was unlawful,” the lawsuit states.

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“On information and belief, the association is so evident that upon seeing the packaging, representatives for Defendant’s celebrity partner queried whether Rap Snacks had obtained permission from Mattel. Indeed, Rap Snacks never requested or received any such permission from Mattel.”

Mattel also noted the “massive, unauthorized nationwide promotional launch” of Barbie-Que Honey Truffle that included a billboard in midtown Manhattan, product giveaways at a New Orleans music festival, the People story and “continual posts  and videos across multiple social media platforms.”

The company alleges that it asked Rap Snacks to cease and desist but was unsuccessful—thus it sued “as a last resort to protect its rights and prevent further consumer confusion.”

Minaj is not a defendant in the case. In 2011, she collaborated with Mattel on a one-of-a-kind Barbie doll for a charity auction by Project Angel Food to assist people affected by HIV/AIDS.

Marketing Daily reached out to Rap Snacks for comment but had not heard back by deadline.

Founded in 1994 by Philadelphia native James Lindsay, Rap Snacks has partnered with rap stars including Cardi B, Migos, Lil Boosie, Rick Ross, Master P and Romeo. 

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