Starbucks sued over coffee-flavored lipstick again

For the third time, Starbucks (NASDAQ:SBUX) is facing a lawsuit for allegedly copying the idea behind its coffee-flavored lipstick and lip gloss.

Los Angeles-based Balmuccino sued the coffee chain in Manhattan federal court on Friday, seeking unspecified compensatory and punitive damages from the company.

Federal judges in Seattle and Los Angeles dismissed its previous court cases over the issue in 2023 and 2019, respectively.

Balmuccino, whose leaders include a sister-in-law of Mehmet Oz, a celebrity doctor and a former Republican Senate candidate, said it introduced Starbucks (SBUX), a concept to sell coffee-flavored lip balms, in 2016.

Dr. Oz had brokered the product pitch after contacting SBUX’s then-CEO Howard Schultz about a potential joint venture, Reuters reported, citing court filings.

Balmuccino alleged that Starbucks (SBUX) copied its idea by launching its “S’mores Frappuccino Sip Kit” in April 2019, but without offering compensation.