Katharina, who calls herself a Slime Princess as she likes making slime and dressing as a princess, turned her slime-making passion into a home-based business two years ago.
Katharina, a Year 7 student from Henderson in West Auckland, first began making slime as part of a school science fair. What started off as a hobby had by late 2017 become a home-based business called "Slime Princess". Now known by her friends, family and even strangers as the "Slime Princess", she eventually decided to trademark her business's name.
But Nickelodeon's New York-based parent company, Viacom, filed an opposition to her Slime Princess trademark, claiming it was in violation of its trademarks of "Slime" and "Nickelodeon Slime". Viacom has held the "Slime" trademark in NZ since 2009 and "Nickelodeon Slime" since last year.
Today, the entertainment company said it wanted to see how they could work together.
"We at Nickelodeon are thrilled that so many young fans love slime as much as we do and find creative ways to express themselves with it," a Nickelodeon spokesman told the NZ Herald.
"As such, the Nickelodeon Australia and New Zealand team recently connected with Katharina and family to discuss an opportunity to work together."
The number-one brand for kids is known for dumping litres of a goopy green substance known as slime on celebrities and kids during awards shows, promotions and events.
It says the Slime Princess brand "would be likely to deceive or cause confusion" and "would be contrary" to the Fair Trading Act and the Trade Marks Act.
Maricel Weischede, Katharina's mother, said they had a 15-minute telephone conversation with Nickelodeon about two months ago, and that they were open to discussing ways to work with Nickelodeon.
"We are open to discuss the possible collaboration with them, but we need to see a written proposal ... we hope it would be a genuine offer that they would give to the Slime Princess," she said.
Although Nickelodeon has not commented on whether it will proceed with legal action, when Katharina received the brand's trademark objection letter, the Aucklander launched a crowdfunding page to raise money for any legal fees she may incur.
However, Katharina is hopeful for a happy ending to the story:
"As my daughter said, perhaps (the giant) would turn into a Prince Charming who would invite her to his castle so she could prosper more."
Originally published: Thursday, August 23, 2018.
Additional sources: Newshub, NewstalkZB, Stuff.co.nz.
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