Smitten Kitten Says 2 Sites Siphoning Its Online Lingerie Biz

COLUMBUS, Ohio — Brick-and-mortar and online retailer Smitten Kitten says Mike Fernandez is swiping away some of its online lingerie business.

But Fernandez, who owns a number of similar-named websites, says he has been struck with claims that don't make sense from the retailer, which filed suit against him Friday.

The Minneapolis retailer, which sells online at SmittenMittenOnline.com, says it has registered the Smitten Kitten trademark for retail sex toy stores and filed suit at U.S. District Court in Columbus.

"If anyone stole the Smitten Kitten's name, it is them," Fernandez told XBIZ. "They don't have exclusive rights to the name. The name is after the 1950s cartoon 'Tom and Jerry.'"

"Smitten Kitten" is the 66th "Tom and Jerry" cartoon where Tom spots an attractive female cat and falls head over heels in love with her, dangling out his tongue as she giggles.

Further, Fernandez says, "The sites have never been active; we never launched."

Fernandez, who lives in Cincinnati, says it was his ex-girlfriend who came up with the names of the sites, SmittenKittenLingerieBoutique.com and TalkSex-AskSmittenKitten.com, as well as the Myspace blog SmittenKittens_blog.

But Fernandez says he and his ex split up two years ago and so did the idea for commercial lingerie sites, as well as their umbrella company, Sex Toys Revolutions.

He later changed his occupation to massage therapy but kept the sites up as a tribute to his work and the "Tom and Jerry" cartoon.

"I received a letter from [SmittenKitten.com operators], and I immediately got pissed off and insulted as well because my sites looked much better than their sites," he said. "In fact, one of my main images, inspired by the 'Tom and Jerry' cartoon, was created by laboring for six hours using the smudge tool in Photoshop."

Fernandez, who was notified of the federal suit by XBIZ, said he's ready to fight the Minneapolis retailer.

"I wrote them back in a long email last year, never heard back from them, and I'm surprised to hear this just now from a reporter," he said. "The fact is the joke is on them. I never commercially launched the sites."

Smitten Kitten's counsel, Amy Ruth Ito of Columbus, did not respond to XBIZ emails or phone calls by post time.

Copyright © 2025 Adnet Media. All Rights Reserved. XBIZ is a trademark of Adnet Media.
Reproduction in whole or in part in any form or medium without express written permission is prohibited.

More News

Le Wand's 'Petite' Highlighted in NY Magazine Article

Le Wand’s Petite massage wand has been recognized in NY Magazine's The Strategist round-up of top-rated massagers.

UPDATED: Supreme Court Rules Against Adult Industry in Pivotal Texas AV Case

The U.S. Supreme Court on Friday issued its decision in Free Speech Coalition v. Paxton, striking a blow against the online adult industry by ruling in support of Texas’ controversial age verification law, HB 1181.

North Carolina Passes Extreme Bill Targeting Adult Sites

The North Carolina state legislature this week ratified a bill that would impose new regulations that industry observers have warned could push adult websites and platforms to ban most adult creators and content.

Orion Debuts 'Gyro' Stroker From You2Toys Line

Orion Wholesale has introduced the You2Toys Gyro stroker.

Share Satisfaction Debuts 'Evolve Penis Pump' Collection

Wellness brand Share Satisfaction has introduced its new Evolve Penis Pump line.

ULoversDoll Debuts 'Isabella' Love Doll

ULoversDoll has added Isabella to its Top-Cydoll collection.

Supreme Court Ruling Due Friday in FSC v. Paxton AV Case

The U.S. Supreme Court will rule on Friday in Free Speech Coalition v. Paxton, the adult industry trade association's challenge to Texas’ controversial age verification law, HB 1181.

Ofcom: More Porn Providers Commit to Age Assurance Measures

A number of adult content providers operating in the U.K. have confirmed that they plan to introduce age checks in compliance with the Online Safety Act by the July 25 deadline, according to U.K. media regulator Ofcom.

Motorbunny Launches Direct Wholesale Program

Motorbunny has launched a direct wholesale program for brick-and-mortar retailers and ecommerce sites.

Biird Introduces 'Together' Intimacy Card Game

Biird has debuted its new card game, Together, designed to promote intimacy in couples.

Show More