Spanx Slapped with Patent-Infringement Claim from Real Housewife of New York

Buckhead-based Spanx is fighting back against claims that it's copied its muffin top-reducing cami and tank top designs from a New York-based shapewear line, created by a certain Real Housewife of New York.

Spanx, created by Buckhead resident Sara Blakeley, filed suit against New York-based Yummie Tummie, which says the Spanx shapewear line is infringing on some of its patents.

Yummie Tummie, a line of body-contouring shapewear, claims that Spanx is infringing on its three-panel design patent for slimming tank tops. In a claim filed March 5 in federal court in Atlanta, Spanx is seeking that a court actually declare that Spanx is not infringing on Yummie Tummie.

Click here to download the federal court action, first reported by the Atlanta Business Chronicle.

Yummie Tummie, founded by Heather Thomson, a member of Bravo's Real Housewives of New York City, first began the "battle" of the patents with a cease-and-desist letter from Thomson's attorneys issued in January.

Yummie Tummie says it's been creating tanks and camis using its patented three-panel design since 2008, according to TODAY.

Spanx responded with a statement that TODAY posted on its site, "Spanx designed our original shaping camisole in 2005 long before Yummie Tummie in 2008. Spanx has had countless imitators through the years. Anyone can make a claim, but it doesn’t mean it has merit. Spanx has not infringed on any valid patent, and we will continue to make fabulous products for our loyal fans."

And Thomson spoke out personally to Blakeley on the Yummie Tummie website on Thursday, stating “We brought this to your attention expecting you to stop. Instead you’ve chosen to sue us, no doubt thinking your massive company could intimidate ours. We have successfully enforced our design patents in the past and will continue to do so. Sara, I truly expected more of you as a fellow entrepreneur."

Blakeley, 41, is the youngest self-made female billionaire in the world.