Kim Kardashian is suing an Alabama doctor for using her name and likeness to advertise the now-infamous “vampire facial.”
During a 2013 episode of “Kourtney and Kim Take Miami,” the KKW Beauty founder received the treatment, in which clients have their blood drawn and plasma is isolated from the the red and white blood cells. Next, the remaining liquid, known as platelet-rich plasma, is microneedled into the skin.
Years later, Kim admitted she regretted having the facial and said she’d “never” do it again because of how “rough and painful” it was for her. Now, Kim is suing Charles Runels and Cellular Medicine Association for using her name and photos without her permission in order to promote their procedures, E! News reported Tuesday.
The complaint alleges copyright infringement, infringement of registered mark, false association, violation of the right of publicity and California common law trademark infringement, according to legal documents obtained by the outlet.
“Upon further investigation, Ms. Kardashian was horrified to discover that her name and likeness were plastered all over Runels’ website (www.vampirefacial.com),” the documents state. “Just below a post disclaiming any association with the Vampire Facial provider from which patients had contracted HIV is a photo captioned, ‘Bar [Refaeli] & Kim Receive the Vampire Facial® Procedure.'”
The documents also include Kim’s photos on the website.
Runels addressed the lawsuit on his business’ blog, writing, “He is now being sued by Ms. Kardashian West for a part of the profits made by the procedure, even though she was never asked to endorse it.”