Media mogul Oprah Winfrey is suing a company marketing weight-loss products for using her name without permission. Winfrey is demanding that all profits associated with items using her name be paid to her.
“The unlawful actions of Defendants amount to a willful and conscious disregard for [Oprah’s] rights and are intentionally designed to capitalize on the goodwill, celebrity and/or fame associated with Ms. Winfrey and/or the OPRAH brand,” Winfrey’s attorney said.
RadarOnline obtained court documents revealing that Winfrey-owned Harpo Inc. and OW Licensing Company have filed a lawsuit against Emblaze One and its executive team, Jaspreet Mather and Kenneth Haller. The lawsuit was filed with the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California.
Product and Brand Misrepresentation Leads to Lawsuit
According to court documents, Emblaze One has been using Winfrey’s name to sell weight loss and CBD gummies. The company reportedly has been advertising its products using the marketing slogan, “Online Pills Shop Oprah Winfrey CBD Gummies Amazon!” according to RadarOnline.
In her lawsuit, Winfrey argues that Emblaze One misled consumers — especially her fans — by connecting her to its weight-loss products. Winfrey is demanding that the company stop using her name and that all product profits be shared with her.
“When consumers see advertisements like this one, the only logical conclusion is that Ms. Winfrey and/or her company signed off on the use of ‘Oprah Keto Pills’ and the pills do in fact work,” the lawsuit reads.
Beginning in April 2022, Emblaze One began publishing sponsored videos using Winfrey’s name and likeness to persuade consumers to purchase products promoting quick weight loss.
As the advertisements began circulating on the Internet, Winfrey spoke to her 21.6 million followers on Instagram, asking them not to use the products.
“I have nothing to do with weight loss gummies or diet pills and I don’t want you all taken advantage of by people misusing my name,” Winfrey said in an Instagram Live. “There have been social media ads, emails, and fake websites going out and I want you to hear it straight from me, that I have nothing to do with them. Please don’t be taken advantage of and don’t give your personal information to them.”
Weight-Loss Transformations: A Hallmark of Winfrey’s Brand
Oprah Winfrey’s brand has always been centered on weight loss and living a healthy life, but it’s always been through strategic partnerships. Since 2015, she has been a brand ambassador, board member, and partner with WW (formerly Weight Watchers), which she credits to helping her lose weight and live a healthy life. This partnership was worth $43.5 million worth of equity, increasing the value of her overall net worth to $3.5 billion.
I am so glad Oprah is finally taking holding these people responsible and pray you win your lawsuit!