Nationwide — Patrice Chappelle and her 14-year-old son, Bron, the founders of MELANBrand Pores and skin, a Black-owned pure skincare model for kids, are standing their floor after receiving a legally intimidating letter from Milani Cosmetics alleging trademark infringement and unfair competitors.
Milani Cosmetics just isn’t a Black-owned model, nevertheless it primarily targets Black ladies as its prospects. The letter they despatched ridiculously claims that MELANBrand Pores and skin’s identify is “confusingly related” to Milani’s, suggesting that buyers could possibly be misled.
Patrice feedback, “For our model, which was born from my need to create secure, pure skincare for melanated kids and households, the letter felt like an assault on a dream we’ve constructed from the bottom up.”
“After I opened the letter, I used to be surprised,” she continues. “I had by no means heard of Milani earlier than, and immediately they had been accusing me of infringing on their trademark. This isn’t a passion for me—it’s my life’s work. It’s my son’s future. To counsel our identify confuses anybody feels not solely unsuitable, however dismissive of the thought and that means behind MELANBrand Pores and skin.”
Whereas Milani framed its outreach as “model safety,” Patrice and Bron see the declare as meritless—and a burden no small enterprise needs to be compelled to shoulder unnecessarily.
“Let’s be clear: this isn’t a dialogue we intend to proceed,” Patrice says. “There’s nothing to debate when the declare has no foundation. MELANBrand Pores and skin was created to rejoice melanin and serve our group, to not imitate or confuse anybody.”
Patrice’s authorized staff has formally responded, noting that the U.S. Patent and Trademark Workplace (USPTO) has discovered no battle between the names, and there was zero proof of client confusion.
“We respect Milani’s proper to guard its model,” MELANBrand Pores and skin’s authorized response states. “However that proper doesn’t prolong to unfounded claims towards unrelated, distinctive companies. MELANBrand Pores and skin is distinguishable in sight, sound, that means, and business impression—and it’s not up for debate.”
For Patrice and Bron, this isn’t nearly one letter—it’s about how small, Black and minority-owned manufacturers are sometimes focused with authorized claims they’ll’t afford to battle quietly.
“Too many small companies face these intimidating letters and really feel compelled into silence,” Patrice mentioned. “We received’t. Our group deserves to know when these items occur—and we received’t be bullied behind closed doorways.”
Milani has not publicly commented on the matter, however Patrice and Bron have made it clear: the declare won’t derail their mission, and they won’t have interaction in additional talks on a matter they imagine has no benefit.
Study extra about Patrice and Bron’s firm at their official web site at MelanBrandSkin.com
Additionally, make sure you observe their journey on Instagram at @MelanBrandSkin
For press inquiries or media interviews, contact whats up@melanbrandskin.com
