Oprah Winfrey sues a company for using her name in ads
Oprah Winfrey filed a lawsuit against a business for using her name to promote slimming products.
Oprah Winfrey has taken legal action against companies that are using her name to promote their products.
According to media reports, Harpo Inc., the production company founded by Oprah, filed a suit last week against several companies that were selling slimming products claiming that they have been endorsed by the media mogul.
Harpo Inc. filed a suit against Emblaze One, Limitless X Inc., and others who were selling Oprah Winfrey Keto Gummies and Oprah Winfrey CBD Gummies online on several websites.
The company reportedly filed its complaint to the US District Court for the Central District of California.
WATCH: Oprah has proudly South African meal to celebrate Thanksgiving
It argued that the companies used Winfrey's name without authorisation.
The company said using Winfrey’s name constituted trademark infringement and false advertising.
According to 2! Ninety, Winfrey is requesting that the company be prohibited from using her name.
She is also asking that all profits from sales of the items attached to her name be given to her.
The lawsuit wrote: "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 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,” the attorney reportedly added.
Last year, Winfrey made a video warning people against buying any weight loss products that have her name on them.
"Fraud alert! Please don’t buy any weight loss gummies with my picture or name on them. 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," she captioned her IG video.
Watch it below:
READ: Oprah praises Thuso Mbedu's "performance of a lifetime" in 'The Underground Railroad'