German-American model and television host, Heidi Klum is in a court battle with her father, Gunther Klum. The disagreement between the two is over Klum’s first daughter, Leni’s name.
Klum’s father may serve jail time for six months if she wins in court. America’s Got Talent judge is suing her father over her daughter’s commercial deals. However, the 75-year-old trademarked Leni’s name and could go to jail if the court can prove “malicious intent”.
According to reports, Gunther registered Leni’s name with the EU in March. He also trademarked Leni’s nickname, Mausekatze meaning Mousecat. 47-year-old Klum has also reportedly now begun a legal challenge and is looking to win the rights to Leni’s name herself.
Heidi Klum is taking her father to court
Klum’s lawyer, Stephan Ruben said: “Should Gunther Klum violate the rights of third parties he will be threatened with an injunction which, if granted, will cost him €250,000 or six months of jail. So far there is no injunction but the lawyers threatened him with it. That’s why he sent a letter (posted on his Instagram) and wrote ‘you are even threatening me with jail time.”
Klum’s father used to be her manager but their relationship has grown rocky over the past few years. The issues between the father and daughter reportedly started after she married American rockstar, Tom Kaulitz in 2019. 31-year-old Kaulitz is a part of a rock band called, Tokio Hotel.
In response to the court case, Gunther said he has always dealt with family trademark rights. In a recent interview, he also said: “I requested the trademark of Leni months ago. She has her name from my mother Leni. The rights to the trademark Leni Klum are with me.”
The 17-year-old model biological father is Flavio Briatore, an Italian businessman. Leni was adopted in 2009 by her then stepfather, British musician, Henry Olusegun Adeola Samuel aka Seal.
