Kate Hudson's Ash troubles

By Stone Martindale Aug 26, 2008, 15:25 GMT

Kate Hudson - Arrivals - Beverly Hilton Hotel - Beverly Hills, CA, USA © Lee Roth / RothStock / PR Photos

Apparently Kate Hudson’s quest for the best in shampoo has landed her and her business partner in hot lava.

In June, Hudson "created" and launched her own line of hair-care products with stylist David Babaii, entitled David Babaii for Wildaid.

The shampoos and other styling aids contain volcanic ash.

TMZ reported that the company 220 Laboratories Inc. filed a lawsuit in Los Angeles Superior Court on Monday against Hudson, Babaii and their manufacturer, Universal, for 17 offenses, including the misappropriation of trade secrets, fraud, and breach of contract and confidence.

220 Laboratories says it was the only supplier of volcanic ash in the USA and that it entered an “oral contract” with Hudson and Babaii in August 2006 to develop and manufacture hair products.

The company says it revealed their “confidential” ingredient list to Hudson and Babaii in November, and that the duo then took the ash samples and shopped around to get a better price from an ash supplier.

220 Laboratories claims Hudson and Babaii used footage of the 220 team collecting ash in Vanuatu to promote their products after signing up with Universal.

Kate and her hair-care crew have been labeled “willful and malicious” by the plaintiffs, who are suing for an unspecified amount to include special damages and attorneys' fees as well as an injunction against competitors' use of their products.