Tammy Taylor Nails SA Drama: Founders Ordered to Pay R71 Million!
The drama surrounding Tammy Taylor Nails SA continues! Peet and Melany Viljoen, the founders of the South African franchise, have been ordered by a United States court to pay a whopping R71 million to Tammy Taylor, the original founder of the global nail brand. This ruling stems from a lawsuit filed in April 2024, accusing the Viljoens of continuing to use the Tammy Taylor brand name, trademarks, and branding after their licensing agreement ended.
US Court Slams Down on Viljoens
The Southern District of California delivered the judgment, effectively barring the couple from any future affiliation with the Tammy Taylor brand. Their US trademark registration has been cancelled, and a permanent order prevents them from using the name. While Tammy Taylor initially sought R390 million in lost profits, claiming damage to her brand's reputation, the court dismissed this part of the claim due to a lack of sufficient evidence.
What's Next for the Viljoens?
The Viljoens are now legally obligated to remove all references to Tammy Taylor from their salons, websites, and social media accounts, including the domain tammytaylornails.co.za. Their South African lawyer, Hein Wiese, has declined to comment on the ruling or confirm whether the couple has left the country. Tammy Taylor has until 16 July to renew her motion for further damages or pursue the South African trademark issue.
Franchise Origins and Controversy
Tammy Taylor founded the brand in the United States in 1981. Melany Viljoen introduced it to South Africa in 2013, rapidly expanding the franchise. However, questions arose regarding the legitimacy of the franchise agreements and the legal use of the Tammy Taylor name within South Africa.
The $100 Million Lawsuit
Adding to their troubles, Tammy Taylor Inc. in the U.S. filed a separate $100 million lawsuit against the Viljoens, accusing them of unlawfully using the trademark after their licensing agreements expired. The lawsuit includes allegations of fraud, harassment, and misrepresentation, claiming significant damage to the Tammy Taylor brand's global reputation. The legal battles continue in South African courts as well.
This story is developing, and we will continue to provide updates as they become available. Stay tuned to newsrpt.com for the latest developments in this high-profile legal battle.