In a legal twist that has rocked the beauty and beverage industries, Balmuccino has filed its third lawsuit against Starbucks, accusing the coffee giant of appropriating its innovative coffee-flavoured lip products concept.
The lawsuit, now in the Manhattan federal court, marks a renewed effort by Balmuccino to claim justice after previous dismissals.
Balmuccino, a rising brand known for its unique coffee-inspired lip balms, began developing its signature products in 2016.
The company alleges that its concept was unlawfully copied by Starbucks following a 2018 pitch meeting, which was facilitated by none other than television personality Dr. Mehmet Oz.
The lawsuit claims that Starbucks’ “S’mores Frappuccino Sip Kit,” launched in April 2019, bears a striking resemblance to Balmuccino’s original creations, including flavours like Campfire Spark and Graham Glam.
The stakes are high as Balmuccino seeks both compensatory and punitive damages for what it views as a blatant infringement on its intellectual property.
Despite the Seattle judge dismissing earlier versions of the case in July 2023, Balmuccino remains undeterred in its pursuit of justice.
The case, officially titled Balmuccino LLC v. Starbucks Corp, is being handled by the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York.
Starbucks has yet to comment on the latest legal developments, leaving industry observers and consumers alike waiting for the next move in this high-stakes battle.
