Tom and Nicole reunite for lawsuit
The action, launched in Los Angeles Superior Court, claims adverts for Sephora's Celebrity Scents created the misleading impression that the couple "used, preferred, endorsed or sponsored Sephora's products."
It seeks 15.8 million dollars in damages and asks that the award be tripled because of alleged violations of the Lanham Act, the law designed to protect intellectual property rights such as patents, trademarks and copyrights.
Cruise and Kidman, who were divorced last summer, are pictured in an advert for the "L'eau down on celebrity sweethearts", used to promote Valentine's Day gifts.
"Tom & Nicole The red carpet glamour of Hollywood's royal couple never fails to leave us with eyes wide open," the advert says, then lists products Sephora sells that supposedly match the stars' personalities.
The action says Cruise and Kidman were involuntary models without pay. Had they endorsed the products, the lawsuit states, they "would have been paid a very large sum of money."
Cruise and Kidman also are seeking punitive damages "considering the vast wealth and income of Sephora and its owner, Moet Hennessy Louis Vuitton," said their lawyer, Bertram Fields.
The French conglomerate owns San Francisco-based Sephora, with 70 stores.
