Skip to main content

Kim Kardashian Settles Old Navy Look Alike Lawsuit

By Deanne Katz, Esq. on August 29, 2012 | Last updated on March 21, 2019

Kim Kardashian was not pleased with the look alike that she saw in Old Navy ads last fall. So what's a Hollywood socialite to do when her image is used without permission?

Well for Kardashian at least the answer is to sue.

The highly recognizable celebrity filed a suit for $20 million against Old Navy's parent-company, The Gap, for using a similar looking model in their ads. Just over a year later, the case is finished.

There was no court ruling for Kardashian when the suit ended. The case settled out of court and the settlement details are private.

She's not going to be a big winner at trial, but it's unlikely Kardashian got left out in the cold.

When the suit was first filed, The Gap aggressively investigated the case during the discovery phase of trial. Discovery is the time for both sides to request important information that may be useful at trial.

Each party is expected to turn over requested documents unless they are 'privileged,' such as attorney-client communications.

A suit for misappropriating someone's likeness requires that the action caused financial harm to the person who was copied. To investigate Kardashian's claim, The Gap requested records on her financial information.

They also wanted to know how the ad had affected her other clothing deals, reports The Hollywood Reporter.

What they found out is a mystery but they were able to settle the case with the help of a mediator. Something must have influenced both sides to reach an out of court agreement.

In the bargain, they also saved a lot of money and time.

If you're looking for a better alternative for your dispute, many attorneys can provide mediation services to help. If the case can't settle, at least then you know a good lawyer.

No one knows what Kim Kardashian or The Gap got from the settlement deal but the look alike ad has been pulled by Old Navy, reports The Hollywood Reporter. At least now Kim has time to focus on her other lawsuit.

Related Resources:

Copied to clipboard