Kim Kardashian is being sued by the foundation of late artist Donald Judd over claims she promoted furniture as made by him – but none of it actually was.
The Judd Foundation – a non-profit honoring the memory of the American artist known for his sculptures and minimalist designs – alleges the reality star, 43, boasted a $90,000 table and a set of chairs worth $9,000 each were Judd originals in a video tour of her SKKN office in 2022.
In documents obtained by DailyMail.com the foundation claims Kardashian got the furniture from a company called Clements Design – also named as a defendant in the lawsuit.
It is unclear if Kardashian knew the furniture wasn’t originals by Judd.
In the video – which racked up 3.7million views she said: ‘If you guys are furniture people because I’ve really gotten into furniture lately.
‘These Donald Judd tables are really amazing and totally blend with the seats and they’re so easy we have so many people coming and eating all the time. The kitchen is amazing I’m super organized.’
The video was taken down after the lawsuit was filed on Wednesday.
Kim Kardashian is being sued by the foundation of late artist Donald Judd over claims she promoted furniture as made by him – but none of it actually was.
The Judd Foundation – a non-profit honoring the memory of the American artist known for his sculptures and minimalist designs – alleges the reality star, 43, boasted a $90,000 table and a set of chairs were Judd originals in a video tour of her SKKN office in 2022
The foundation claims the items were ‘knockoffs’ and says because Kardashian claimed they were originals, it misled the public.
The foundation further claims due to the publicity Kardashian’s video got, Judd’s reputation and legacy was tarnished.
Only three authentic copies of the Judd La Mansana tables have been sold in the past 15 years while 350 Chair 84’s have been sold.
The lawsuit filed in U.S. District Court for the Central District of California reads: ‘Consumers are likely to believe Judd Foundation and the Donald Judd brand are connected or affiliated with, or otherwise sponsored or endorsed Ms. Kardashian.
‘Judd Foundation categorically prohibits customers from using purchased Donald Judd furniture for marketing and promotional purposes.’
A spokesman for the foundation said: ‘In August 2022, Ms. Kardashian posted a video (with more than 3.7 million views) to her personal YouTube channel, which featured knockoff Donald Judd Furniture, a company of Judd Foundation.
‘The designs included two of Donald Judd’s most renowned designs: La Mansana Table (two tables) and Chair 84 (numerous chairs) that Ms. Kardashian falsely attributed to being Donald Judd.
‘Following the press coverage of the video, on August 15, 2022, Judd Foundation contacted Ms. Kardashian’s representatives, who confirmed that the table and chairs were indeed fake.
‘Clements Design knowingly fabricated and sold the fake designs. Judd Foundation’s attempt to resolve this matter without litigation was met with delays and excuses from Ms. Kardashian and Clements Design.
‘More than a year later, the video of Ms. Kardashian promoting fake furniture attributed to Donald Judd remains available on her YouTube page to millions of followers and the public at large.
‘Each authentic piece of Donald Judd furniture meets the exacting design, fabrication, and material specifications that Donald Judd established during his lifetime.
The foundation claims Kardashian got the furniture from a company called Clements Design – also named as a defendant in the lawsuit. It is unclear if Kardashian knew the furniture wasn’t originals by Judd
In the video – which racked up 3.7million views she said: ‘If you guys are furniture people because I’ve really gotten into furniture lately. ‘These Donald Judd tables are really amazing and totally blend with the seats and they’re so easy’
‘The actions of Clements Design and Ms. Kardashian—and their refusal to properly resolve this matter with Judd Foundation—undermines Judd’s legacy and impairs the Foundation’s ability to control the quality and goodwill of his iconic designs.
Rainer Judd, President of Judd Foundation and daughter of the late artist said: ‘Donald Judd’s furniture is an integral part of his legacy. As an artist’s foundation, our primary mission is to protect and preserve his work.
‘Ms. Kardashian’s furniture is irrefutably fake. The existence of inauthentic furniture undermines the integrity of his original work which includes specifications of design, craftsmanship, and materials.
‘Today, Judd Foundation works directly with select fabricators to maintain the standards of quality he set for his furniture. This requires that all furniture that is made and sold with his name is made by Donald Judd Furniture.’
Megan K. Bannigan, Partner at Debevoise & Plimpton and counsel to Judd Foundation added: ‘This case is about protecting the intellectual property rights of Judd Foundation, including its trademarks and copyrights.
‘The existence and promotion of fake Donald Judd furniture harms both consumers and Judd Foundation. The fake furniture has caused massive consumer confusion – with millions of Ms. Kardashian’s followers being misled to believe that the furniture in Ms. Kardashian’s office is real Donald Judd furniture.
‘It also undermines Judd Foundation’s ability to control the quality of the works created using Donald Judd’s iconic designs and the goodwill that exists in those creations.’
Judd died aged 64 in 1994 following a battle with non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma.
A spokesman for Clements Design told DailyMail.com: ‘This issue was brought to our attention over a year ago.
‘We communicated with the Judd Foundation’s counsel and explained to them in no uncertain terms that there were obvious key differences between the tables and chairs in Kim’s office and the Judd Foundation’s tables and chairs.
‘The Judd Foundation’s prior counsel acknowledged these differences and since then, we have not heard from them in over a year, and are now being blindsided with a lawsuit.
‘Efforts were made to resolve this issue amicably at the time and the Judd Foundation was unwilling to settle on reasonable terms. These claims have absolutely no merit.’
The Estate wants Kardashian to take the video down, retract her claims the furniture was Judd originals and wants profits from Clements Design.
DailyMail.com has contacted representatives for Kardashian for comment.
This comes after Kim appeared to channel Kanye West’s current wife, Bianca Censori, in her outfit she posted
Bianca (pictured) is often seen only wearing nylon with either no top, a tiny bra or a sheer top
This comes after Kim appeared to channel Kanye West’s current wife, Bianca Censori, in her outfit she posted.
Kim was wearing a fur coat with no top or bralette – paired with nylon tights.
Bianca, 29, is often seen wearing nylon tights with not much else – sometimes with no top and a fur coat, a tiny bra or a sheer top.
Bianca has also been seen wearing bodysuits with very racy cut-out detailing.