Hydroderm sues Hatcher for $2.8M

LOS ANGELES, Dec. 4 (UPI) -- The cosmetics company Hydroderm sued U.S. actress Teri Hatcher Tuesday for $2.8 million for alleged breach of contract, it was reported.

The suit was filed against the "Desperate Housewives" star in Los Angeles Superior Court, "Access Hollywood" reported.

Court papers allege Hatcher made a deal with Hydroderm in 2005 that barred her from using "among other things, her name, voice, autograph, image or likeness to, among other things, promote, endorse, market or advertise skin care products manufactured or marketed by Hydroderm's competitors."

However, the company claims in its lawsuit Hatcher violated the contract by endorsing a lip-plumping product produced by City Cosmetics, which is in "direct competition" with Hydroderm's lip enhancer.

Hydroderm wants to recover the $2.4 million it paid Hatcher to be its celebrity endorser, as well as an additional $406,952 the company said it racked up in additional expenses related to the deal, "Access Hollywood" said.

A representative for Hatcher issued a statement, dismissing the allegations as "totally false and completely without merit."

"Ms. Hatcher will respond swiftly and decisively by appropriate legal means to recover everything she is owed under her contract, as well as compensatory and punitive damages for Hydroderm's outrageous accusations," the representative said.