“Big Bang Theory” and part-time “Jeopardy!” host Mayim Bialik has filed a lawsuit in a Florida federal court seeking damages against companies she claims are using her name and image to create the impression she is endorsing their CBD products.
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In the lawsuit filed Thursday, Bialik, 46, is seeking damages against 32 unnamed companies, many based in the Dominican Republic, France or India, the Miami Herald reported.
The 27-page lawsuit lists the IP addresses for the companies because they are operating under false names, the newspaper reported. According to Law360, Bialik alleged that the companies use the actress’ name on their websites to promote fake products such as “Mayim Bialik CBD Gummies” and “Mayim Bialik CBD Oil” to drive customer traffic to their sales pages for CBD products. In her complaint, Bialik said she has never given permission for her name to be used and has not been compensated for its use.
“Defendants misappropriate Bialik’s name, likeness and/or persona by promoting, advertising and marketing, offering for sale and selling or causing to be sold the unauthorized CBD products by falsely suggesting Bialik has endorsed, is sponsoring or may be actively associated with such goods,” the complaint stated.
According to the complaint, Bialik, who earned a Ph.D. in neuroscience from UCLA, is very particular about what products or companies she chooses to endorse.
“The entire purpose of the Defendants’ wrongful activities is to create the false impression that Bialik is affiliated with and endorses certain cannabidiol products (the ‘Unauthorized CBD Products’) which she does not,” the lawsuit states.
Bialik is seeking injunctive relief, profits, punitive damages, attorney fees and litigation costs, Law360 reported.
In March, Bialik wrote a post on her Instagram account to address what she called clickbait advertising.
“There are many untrue things floating around the internet about many public figures, but I want to address one about me that looks very authentic but is indeed a hoax,” Bialik wrote. “I am not selling CBD Gummies of any kind and do not plan to do so at any point in the future. I have tried to get this removed to no avail. It’s not real.”
https://www.instagram.com/p/CbXx-9GrRQu/
Bialik and her attorneys chose to file the lawsuit in a Florida court, the Herald reported. According to her lawsuit, the filing occurred in Florida because a “substantial part of the events or omissions are occurring in this district” and the companies are unlawfully advertising and selling these “falsely endorsed products” in Florida.
The defendants could not be immediately reached for comment, according to Law360.
From "Blossom" to "The Big Bang Theory," see photos of memorable moments from actress and neuroscientist Mayim Bialik’s career.
1989: Mayim Bialik and Mickey Rooney attend Miss Hollywood Party on April 3, 1989, at Chasen’s Restaurant in Beverly Hills, California.
Circa 1990: Actress Mayim Bialik poses for a portrait circa 1990 in Los Angeles.
1991: Child actress Mayim Bialik performs on March 29, 1991.
1992: Actor Joey Lawrence and Actress Mayim Bialik attend the 29th annual Publicists Guild of America Awards on March 27, 1992, at Sheraton Universal Hotel in Universal City, California.
1993: Actress Mayim Bialik during an interview with host Conan O’Brien on October 4, 1993.
1994: The cast of Blossom actress Finola Hughes, actress Mayim Bialik, actor Joey Lawrence, actress Jenna Von Oy, actress Courtney Chase and actor Ted Wass pose for a portrait while celebrating the 100th episode of the television series "Blossom" on November 21, 1994, in Los Angeles.
Circa 1995: Actress Mayim Bialik poses for a portrait circa 1995 in Los Angeles.
1998: Mayim Bialik sighted on May 22, 1998 at the Los Angeles International Airport in Los Angeles.
2002: Mayim Bialik (right) and husband Michael Stone during NBC 75th Anniversary at Rockefeller Plaza in New York City.
2004: Mayim Bialik during the opening night of "Cavalia" at Big Top in Glendale in Glendale, California.
2005: Mayim Bialik attends the premiere for Showtime’s New Comedy "Fat Actress" Starring Kirstie Alley at ArcLight Cinerama Dome on February 23, 2005, in Los Angeles.
2008: Actress Mayim Bialik arrives at "Live For Sderot," a benefit concert for Israel’s 60th Anniversary of Independence celebration, held at The Wilshire Theater on February 26, 2008, in Beverly Hills, California.
2009: Mayim Bialik at the premiere screening of "Rex" held at Cinespace Hollywood.
2010: Actress Mayim Bialik arrives at the 17th annual Race to Erase MS event co-chaired by Nancy Davis and Tommy Hilfiger at the Hyatt Regency Century Plaza on May 7, 2010, in Los Angeles.
2011: Actress Mayim Bialik arrives at the Los Angeles premiere of "The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn – Part 1" at Nokia Theatre L.A. Live on November 14, 2011, in Los Angeles.
2012: Actress Mayim Bialik arrives at the 64th Primetime Emmy Awards at Nokia Theatre L.A. Live on September 23, 2012, in Los Angeles.
2013: Actress Mayim Bialik arrives at the 65th annual Primetime Emmy Awards held at Nokia Theatre L.A. Live on September 22, 2013, in Los Angeles.
2014: Actress Mayim Bialik arrives to the 66th annual Primetime Emmy Awards held at the Nokia Theater on August 25, 2014.
2015: Actresses Mayim Bialik, Melissa Rauch and Kaley Cuoco-Sweeting pose in the press room at The 41st annual People’s Choice Awards at Nokia Theatre LA Live on January 7, 2015, in Los Angeles.
2016: Jim Parsons and Mayim Bialik appear in a 2016 episode of "The Big Bang Theory."
2017: Actress Mayim Bialik attends the 23rd annual Screen Actors Guild Awards at The Shrine Expo Hall on January 29, 2017, in Los Angeles.
2018: Actress Mayim Bialik attends a private celebration of The 70th anniversary of Israel hosted by the Consul General of Israel, Los Angeles, Sam Grundwerg on June 10, 2018, in Los Angeles.
2019: Mayim Bialik attends the Casting Society of America’s 34th annual Artios Awards at The Beverly Hilton Hotel on January 31, 2019, in Beverly Hills, California.
2020: Mayim Bialik as Kat in "Call me Kat."
2021: In this screengrab, Leslie Jordan and Mayim Bialik speak at the 26th annual Critics Choice Awards on March 7, 2021.