Thurman to be sued by cosmetics company

'Kill Bill' actress Uma Thurman is being sued by cosmetics giant Lancome, the French firm confirmed today.

The company said it did not violate its contract with her and she is not entitled to the $1m (€649,107) she has demanded.

The firm filed papers in Manhattan's state Supreme Court saying Thurman has threatened a lawsuit claiming the beauty products titan improperly used her name and picture in advertising.

Lancome's court papers say Thurman is complaining her name and face were used on Canadian billboards and Asian websites after her contract to help market the company's products expired.

Thurman and Lancome signed the contract in April 2000 as one of the company's celebrity faces. Lancome agreed to pay her $5.8m (€3.76m) for the first two years and $3.1m (€2m) for each of two option years, if exercised.

Lancome's court papers, filed yesterday, say the contract frees the company of responsibility if third parties use her name and face after the contract lapses.

Lancome's lawyer Peter Raymond said today that his client "can't control everybody out in the world".

Thurman's lawyer Bertram Fields said he was surprised by Lancome's lawsuit.

"I thought we were negotiating in good faith," Mr Fields said. "I guess the French decided to strike a pre-emptive blow."

"I'm delighted that the case will go before a jury," Mr Fields continued. "They got an enormous benefit throughout the world after the contract was over, and $1m doesn't begin to do it."

As for Mr Raymond's claim that a few internet sites in Asia that advertised Lancome products continued to carry Thurman's photo, Mr Fields complained that "Lancome's own website carried her likeness".

Other celebrities who have endorsed products for Lancome or its celebrities include model Carol Alt, actresses Isabella Rossellini, Juliette Binoche, Mena Suvari and Drew Barrymore.