Image: Instagram/@jeffreestar, @michelledyy
American cosmetics mogul Jeffree Star called out an unnamed YouTuber who allegedly “tried to steal” his “Approved” series, which according to him, is trademarked.
“Michelle Dy is now cancelledt [sic] bye [momshie] Chanel [vs.] Sm Novaliches. #TeamJeffreeStar,” wrote one netizen, Ernst Dela Cruz, who shared Star’s Instagram Stories complaint on Facebook yesterday, July 31.
“There is a YouTuber who is not known here in America, but they recently tried to steal my ‘Approved’ trademarked whole entire series and do it on their channel.. that’s trademarked… don’t try me,” said Star. “Thank God for lawyers… why can’t people just come up with their own f******ideas girl? You really need to say ‘[blank] approved’? You can’t think of anything else?”
Since Star did not name the YouTuber who copied his series, the netizen also uploaded a screengrab of a comment supposedly left by Star in a now-deleted YouTube video of Michelle Dy, calling her out. The Filipino makeup guru started a series called “MD Approved” in her YouTube channel.
“You’re full of complete sh*t. Stealing my ‘Approved’ series and trademarked title is pathetic… but that’s what boring unoriginal people do,” Star allegedly commented. “My lawyer will reach out to you shortly. ‘Jeffree Star Approved’ is copyrighted in America.”
The netizen’s post, which has gone viral, had garnered over 25,000 likes and reactions, 15,000 comments and 44,000 shares, as of this writing.
Dy has issued a public apology to Star yesterday. The makeup guru said she idolizes Star and that her “MD Approved” series was inspired by the series of the same content made by international YouTubers. She stressed she was unaware that “Jeffrey Star Approved” is trademarked in the U.S.
“I would like to take this opportunity to sincerely apologize to Jeffree Star if in any way or another, I may have violated your rights from the use of your trademark,” Dy wrote. “Videos from my channel has [sic] been deleted already and rest-assured that it will not happen again. Again, I’m sorry.”
😊🙏🏼♥️ pic.twitter.com/AWR5ylitji
— Michelle Dy (@michelle_dy) July 31, 2018
Fans were quick to react on yesterday’s events. Some expressed their support for Star.
https://twitter.com/MargaLunaa/status/1024242479799750657
Sorry @michelle_dy, you ain’t @JeffreeStar approved ❌
— ᶠᴿᴱᴺ (@freeennniiieee) July 31, 2018
https://twitter.com/nykholec/status/1024241497237905408
But some were critical and found Star petty and unprofessional for the way he called out Dy.
a lot of people idolize jeffree star even michelle dy but jeffree star's approach on michelle dy about the trademark issue was so unprofessional.
— solange (@solangesnjs) July 31, 2018
https://twitter.com/extremelyneil/status/1024261312954621953
https://twitter.com/LeighPedeg/status/1024247690022903809
Meanwhile, one netizen, Kylie (@scanmypanty), looked for the trademarked series Star spoke about. Her search for “Jeffrey Star Approved” copyright at the database of the United States Patent and Trademark Office website showed that no such trademark exists.
The Michelle Dy incident is a plain reminder to all that we have no right to copy someone else’s work unless permitted.
It should also remind us to do research before we comment.
So where is the “Jeffree Star Approved” Patent and Trademark?
Dont @ me pic.twitter.com/0QUrjRp6Lf
— ✨✨✨ (@scanmypanty) July 31, 2018
One netizen, pkawaiichan, questioned the alleged comment left at Dy’s deleted video in a Reddit thread. Posting a photo of YouTube channels with Jeffree Star’s name, he noted that one channel is named exactly like Star’s, bearing the same photo as the cosmetics mogul’s.
Because the alleged Star YouTube channel that commented at Dy’s video lack the verified tick Star’s official channel has, the netizen asserted that the cosmetics mogul did not actually threaten to sue the Filipino makeup guru.
Image: Screenshot from Reddit/pkawaiichan
Image: Screenshot from Reddit/pkawaiichan
If the account which commented on Dy’s video is either unofficial or fake, this also puts to question the real identity of the person Star was referring to in his post. Since he chose not to name the YouTuber, it may not be Dy he was talking about, the Reddit commenter explained.
Jeffree Star has yet to comment or issue an official statement on the matter, as of this writing. JB
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