HSN Direct International Ltd., an infomercial marketing company in St. Petersburg, FL, settled a lawsuit brought by Wendi Rogers over royalties from the “Sweet Simplicity” hair removal system, which was sold through an infomercial.
Rogers, a makeup artist based in New York who appeared in the infomercial, had sued HSND seeking more than $19 million in compensatory and punitive damages. Under the terms of the settlement signed yesterday, the settling defendants, including HSND, will pay Rogers $225,000, including unpaid royalties. HSND did not admit any legal liability. The talent agreement between the company and Rogers has been terminated and Rogers has been released by HSND from any restriction on competition.
HSND intends to pursue the claims it filed in the Rogers suit against The Media Group Inc., an infomercial marketing company in Stamford, CT, American Direct Marketing Inc. and Sonny Howard, president of The Media Group for royalties arising from a license HSND granted to The Media Group to sell the Sweet Simplicity product. HSND terminated The Media Group license and seeks to enjoin Media Group’s sales of Sweet Simplicity.
