HOLLYWOOD, Calif. — Kate Hudson has been slapped with a hairy lawsuit.
The 29-year-old actress is being sued by Los Angeles-based company 220 Laboratories, which claims she and her business partner, David Babaii, stole their idea.
The suit stems from a business Hudson and her partner launched in June, David Babaii for WildAid, an eco-friendly collection of hair-care products that includes shampoos and other styling aids.
In the lawsuit, which was filed Monday in Los Angeles Superior Court, 220 Laboratories accuses the business partners of 17 offenses, including fraud, misappropriation of trade secrets and breach of contract.
220 Laboratories claims that it was the only supplier of volcanic ash in the United States and that it entered an "oral contract" with the duo in 2006 to develop and manufacture hair products. When discussions stalled, 220 claims Hudson and Babaii ran to a competing manufacturer, who in turn agreed to a cheaper deal than they were offering.
A rep for Hudson said the "Almost Famous" star plans to take a hard stand against the allegations.
"Kate and her attorneys are only just learning of the complaint, as Kate has not yet been served," publicist Brad Cafarelli told E! News. "Kate does not know the plaintiffs and has never met with them or spoken with them. Her representatives believe that the claims are baseless and without merit and intend to vigorously defend the lawsuit."
William E. Crockett, an attorney for 220 Laboratories, said his client stands behind their claims.
"We can demonstrate that our client...invented these beauty products," he said in a statement to E! News. "David Babaii and Kate Hudson have said they invented the product. Claiming to have invented and developed a product that is delivered ready-to-go is not only breach-of-contract—it's fraud.
"In fairness to Ms. Hudson, she may be unaware of the products' history, as she entered into a relationship with WildAid after the products had already been created. We are working to ensure that our client receives the compensation owed them."
220 Laboratories is seeking unspecified damages, in addition to attorneys' fees.
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