Jimmy Choo kicks up a fuss over NZ based 'KookyChoo' website

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Jimmy Choo kicks up a fuss over NZ based 'KookyChoo' website

3News NZ

Looie James, set up'KookyChoo' around three months ago

Looie James, set up'KookyChoo' around three months ago

High-end fashion brand, Jimmy Choo, has sent a demanding legal letter to a small company in rural New Zealand.

The company is an online gift site called 'KookyChoo', but according to Jimmy Choo the name is too similar and it's ordered the company to find a new name or shut down.

Mother of seven, Looie James, set up the online gift store called 'KookyChoo' around three months ago.

But when she tried to trademark the company logo - Jimmy Choo dug its heels in and sent a letter saying the names were too similar.

"It's terrifying to be honest because I'm feeling really bullied. There was never any malice indented, we just wanted to start a small New Zealand business so it's quite frightening," says James.

A New Zealand based law firm is acting on behalf of Jimmy Choo and say they are employed purely to protect the company's trademark in New Zealand.

The firm wouldn't comment further before finding out how Jimmy Choo wants to proceed.

But in a letter earlier this week, Jimmy Choo demanded James stop trading under the 'KookyChoo' name and hand over all business cards and printed material they might have made.

James says 'KookyChoo' doesn't even sell shoes and she'd hate to have to shut down just a week before Christmas.

"It would be devastating for our whole family just for the amount of hours and work that we have put into it for no financial reward," says James.

'KookyChoo' has until Tuesday to consider whether it pursues a legal battle with a possible price tag of $50,000 in legal fees.

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Comments

27/11/2009 11:27:51 a.m.

Kingston wrote:

what a bunch of idiots...I don't see WH Smith that sells stationary/books suing Dick Smith that sells electronics...what a waste of time

4/09/2009 1:55:11 p.m.

Sara wrote:

Has this whole Jimmy Poo Poo and Kookychoo thing been resolved? This website does have some pretty cool stuff but not one pair of shoes I see!!

21/12/2008 7:04:05 p.m.

Alien wrote:

Ignore these people, any judge with half a brain will throw the case out. Just another businesses whose sales have dropped looking to make a quick buck through legal action.

Jimmy Choo might not sound like Kooky Choo, but they sure as heck are just that, kooky.

I suggest people go to http://www.jimmychoo.com/pws/Home.ice and tell them what you think of them.

21/12/2008 6:45:49 a.m.

harry wrote:

This is nonsense.How if all those business names with Smith in them had to change their names.

21/12/2008 6:15:22 a.m.

Vaughan wrote:

Thank you so much to all the support, encouragement and kind wishes in light of our situation.

It has been greatly appreciated in this trying time.

21/12/2008 1:05:43 a.m.

David, Auckland wrote:

Who could possibly mistake 'Jimmy Choo' for 'Kooky Choo?' Jimmy Choo and their lawyers should find something more productive to do than pick on small businesses.