Gwyneth Paltrow’s Goop Site Hit With Copyright Infringement Lawsuit

Charles Platkin alleges that Goop Inc. infringed his copyright by using his “Diet Detective” moniker without permission or compensation

Gwyneth Paltrow
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Charles Platkin, a health expert who operates under the name “Diet Detective,” has filed suit against Gwyneth Paltrow‘s lifestyle website Goop.com. He alleges that the company infringed on his “Diet Detective” copyright in a July 18th article posted on its website.

Platkin is the author of the “Diet Detective” syndicated column, as well as maintaining a website under that name. He demands that Goop Inc. be barred from using his “Diet Detective” trademarks, and is seeking monetary damages and a jury trial.

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In the suit, Platkin details that he is the owner and editor-in-chief of the syndicated health, nutrition, and fitness column and its accompanying website. He has used the Diet Detective brand since 2008, owning the trademark since 2004 for his syndicated column, since 2007 as a website, and since 2008 for his books, according to the lawsuit.

The suit alleges that Goop Inc. used the trademarked phrase “Diet Detective” without license or permission in an article posted to its website on July 18, 2014. The article featured similar content to what Platkin provides in his own syndicated columns.

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Platkin requested the company remove the infringement, which they did, but the suit alleges that Goop Inc. advised him that its usage of his mark was allowed by the “First Amendment.” He subsequently sought reimbursement, and offered a general release so long as infringing content was removed from the site and associated social media sites, according to the lawsuit, but those requests went unanswered.

As detailed in several exhibits, Platkin alleges that as recently as August 18 the infringement was still present in the meta tags and title of the article on the Goop.com website, as well as in search engine results for his trademarked phrase “Diet Detective.”

Platkin is represented by William R. Samuels of W.R. Samuels Law PLLC.

Pamela Chelin contributed to this report.

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