It has been confirmed that a Korean-American beauty brand based in Southern California has filed a multimillion-dollar trademark infringement lawsuit against a South Korean K-beauty device company. The core of this dispute revolves around the ownership of trademark rights for LED beauty devices in the U.S. market. As global interest in K-beauty continues to surge, attention is focused on the outcome of this legal battle between a local Korean-American company and a South Korean firm.

According to a complaint filed on October 20 with the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California and a report by Seoul Wire, Torrance-based Korean-American beauty brand 'Esthermax' has initiated a trademark infringement lawsuit against South Korea’s K-beauty device company 'KL Global.' The complaint states that Esthermax’s founder, Mr. Han, is seeking punitive damages of up to $2 million per mark, alleging “willful trademark infringement” against KL Global, its affiliates, and related individuals.

In addition to KL Global, the lawsuit names U.S. distributor BSG Aesthetic Solutions, KL Global’s CEO Mr. Lee, initial developer Mr. Kwon, and U.S. distribution representative Mr. Kim as co-defendants. According to the federal court filing, Mr. Han founded Esthermax in 2012 to pioneer the K-beauty market in the U.S. and officially registered the 'Omega Light' trademark with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) in 2016. The registered products include beauty LED devices and near-infrared-based skin treatment devices.

The complaint alleges that around 2015, Mr. Han purchased Omega Light products from Mr. Kwon in South Korea and introduced them to the U.S. market, stating that “this was merely a transactional purchase with no formal distribution or licensing agreement.” It further emphasizes that “Mr. Kwon was aware of the U.S. trademark registration at the time but raised no objections.”

The plaintiff claims that in 2025, Mr. Kwon, in collaboration with KL Global and its CEO Mr. Lee, began importing and selling products in the U.S. under confusingly similar trademarks such as 'Omega Light,' 'Omega LED,' and 'Omega PDT.' The plaintiff alleges that the defendants’ products are “virtually identical or nearly identical” to Esthermax’s and have “exploited the brand reputation and goodwill built by Esthermax, causing consumer confusion.”

Based on violations of the federal Lanham Act, the plaintiff asserts claims of ▲trademark infringement and ▲false designation of origin, requesting a permanent injunction to stop the infringing activities and a jury trial. The complaint further alleges that the defendants “willfully counterfeited and used the ‘Omega Light’ trademark without authorization,” seeking statutory damages of up to $2 million per mark (based on counterfeit trademarks). Additionally, the plaintiff demands triple damages for actual harm, recovery of ill-gotten profits from the infringement, attorney fees, and a jury trial.

According to Seoul Wire, KL Global reportedly stated in 2022 that it would “take legal action against the sale of counterfeit Omega Light products,” raising interest in how this conflict between a Southern California-based Korean-American company and a South Korean K-beauty device company, along with related parties, will be resolved in court.