A fresh intellectual property controversy has erupted online after Corine Marie (@lovecorinemarie), the creator of the bookmark purse, accused another entrepreneur of copying her design and marketing strategy while claiming to be the original inventor.
Marie debuted the stylish hybrid accessory—a functional bookmark with a purse-style handle—in late 2024, quickly going viral on TikTok, especially within the BookTok community.
Readers praised the innovative design for letting book lovers carry their novels with flair. Her content spread widely, positioning the bookmark purse as a breakout success for a new Black woman innovator.
Enter Shelley Beans
But by the summer of 2025, another seller, Shelley Beans, began marketing the same product, introducing it under her own name while asserting she was the original creator.
The move sparked backlash across TikTok, where users rallied behind Marie and accused Beans of appropriating her idea, marketing, and content.
The incident caught the attention of entrepreneur and media voice Isaac Hayes III (@isaachayes3), who highlighted the dispute on his podcast.
Just Another Story of Stolen IP
Hayes framed the controversy as part of a broader, troubling pattern: Black innovators and creators having their intellectual property stolen, copied, or erased by others without due recognition or credit.
“This is another Black woman innovator who created something unique, had it go viral, and now someone else is claiming her work as their own,” Hayes said, noting the lack of coverage from major Black media outlets.
He disclosed that online communities, particularly BookTok, have been instrumental in holding copycats accountable.
The dispute between Marie and Beans is an example of the challenges independent inventors face when bringing new products to market, especially without the backing of large companies or formal intellectual property protections. It also highlights how platforms like TikTok serve as both launchpads for innovation and battlegrounds for disputes over originality.
There is also another high-stakes intellectual property battle unfolding in federal court over the rights to a magnetic hair accessory designed for textured and loc’d hair.
The dispute, known as the Breromi Hair Clique Lawsuit, pits young Black inventor Breana Askew, alleged founder of the Breromi brand, against competitor Kirsten Owens in a case that has sparked discussions about innovation, minority entrepreneurship, and the limits of patent protection.
As this latest case unfolds, a familiar and frustrating question arises: How many times will Black women innovators have their ideas stolen before meaningful protections and recognition are enforced?
