Uma Thurman Against Lancome, Another Court Battle

It's another court drama for the "blonde with an edge," Uma Thurman. And this time it does not involved a disturbed fan but a giant cosmetics company that is as agitated as the Hollywood actress in winning a legal battle.

Kill Bill's Uma Thurman and French cosmetics giant Lancome are battling over the use of the star's name and image in one advertising campaign.

In April 2000, Uma Thurman signed a two-year contract for Lancome, with option to extend the agreement for another two years. Under the terms, Lancome agreed to pay Thurman $5.8 million for the first two years and $3.1 million for each additional year, if the company exercised its option.

And so the battle begins. The actress, who did not signed up for an extension to her contract, demanded $1 million for unauthorized use of her Lancome name and face on Canadian billboards and Asian Web sites after her contract expired. Lancome denied the accusation, saying that it does not have control over people who uses the actress' name and image. It also filed a lawsuit to counter the actress' demand.

Uma Thurman's papers, on the other hand, were filed Wednesday in Manhattan's state Supreme Court, the same court where Uma Thurman won the legal battle against his stalker.

Win or lose, Uma Thurman's successive court battles seemed to be making her a new (court) drama queen.