UPDATE 03/09/24: Instagram has agreed to the take down of two of the many impersonating accounts. We're at the wait to recover our trademarked username @byvalenti to complete our global brand presence.
In the spirit of transparency and trust that defines our relationship with our loyal customers, we address you today with a grave concern, one that transcends ordinary business challenges and hits the core of our values and legal rights.
In a bewildering turn of events, less than a month after legally reclaiming our trademarked username "@byvalenti" Instagram, without notice and in violation of Federal Trademark Laws, unjustly transferred our username to an impersonator named Valentina Carrasco from Puerto La Cruz, Anzoátegui State, Venezuela. This person has unlawfully used our trademark and hashtag #byvalenti and fraudulently represented herself as our founder, Manuela Valenti, exploiting our brand's resources for personal gain. Despite numerous cease and desist attempts and reports to Instagram's intellectual property department, these actions persist, undermining our brand's integrity and directly violating our rights and federal trademark laws.
After regaining control of our legitimate Instagram username @byvalenti at the beginning of February 2024 after a 2 year battle, Instagram unlawfully and without notice reverted our trademarked username back to an impersonator, relegating our official account to @temporarybyvalenti, thus damaging our image, reputation, and trust with our community on this platform.
This ongoing scam, exacerbated by Instagram's IP enforcement team's unsatisfactory response and disregard for Federal Trademark Laws, has allowed this individual to exploit our name and reputation, built over 15 years.
This is not merely an attack on our brand's legacy but a direct threat to our customers' safety and trust. We urge you to verify the authenticity of any communication claiming to be from us, with our official website remaining the most reliable information and purchase source.
We are taking all necessary legal steps to rectify this injustice, including pursuing legal action against Instagram and Meta, filing claims with the FTC, and reporting this individual for personal and business identity theft in both countries. We are committed to protecting our brand, family name, and legacy, and, most importantly, the community we serve.
How to remain safe
Our official Instagram account during this miscarriage of justice was renamed @temporarybyvalenti, pending our lawsuit against Instagram, hoping to reinstate our former username @byvalenti.
Until this happens please avoid engaging with the following accounts held and managed by Valentina Carrasco, our impersonator:
1) www.instagram.com/byvalenti - Although with our trademarked username this account is currently under the control of the impersonator Valentina Carrasco. We urge the community to report this account on Instagram as impersonating our brand.
2) www.instagram.com/byvalentinacarrasco - Second impersonating account of our brand. We urge the community to report this account on Instagram as impersonating our brand.
3) www.instagram.com/valentinacarrascoo - The face of our brand's impersonator.
This situation underscores the need for vigilance and collective action to protect the integrity of trusted brands. We are immensely grateful for your continued support and trust as we navigate this challenge. Together, we stand strong against fraudulent practices undermining our values.
For support, legal advice, or encouragement, please feel free to contact us.
