Co. marketing Jessica Simpson’s name sued
From Sara Hall

NEW YORK—What’s in a name? In Jessica Simpson’s case, at least $15 million. A company that markets celebrities’ names says it set up the deal that got Jessica Simpson Brand Management LLC $15 million for worldwide rights to her name to market certain merchandise, including clothing.
But the company, Icon Licensing Group LLC, says it wasn’t paid its commission and has filed a lawsuit to get it. In papers filed in Manhattan’s state Supreme Court, Icon says it is owed at least $180,000 by the JSBM company. Icon’s court papers say the company entered into an agreement May 9, 2005, with Andrew Kirpalani, owner and manager of JSBM, in which Icon would get a percentage commission if it successfully finalized a sale of Simpson’s name.