Fashion retailer Zara has rejected trademark infringement claims made by Estée Lauder in a case concerning the use of the name of renowned perfumer Jo Malone.
In documents filed with the British High Court, Zara claims that the use of the name "Jo Malone" in the marketing of certain perfumes complies with principles established by Estée Lauder herself in 2020. The Spanish chain has been collaborating with the perfume designer since 2019.
Estée Lauder acquired the Jo Malone perfume brand and the rights to its name in 1999. After leaving the company in 2006, Jo Malone launched a new brand called "Jo Loves" in 2011 before beginning her collaboration with Zara several years later.
The dispute centers on the presence of the words "Jo Malone" in product descriptions published on Zara's website, as well as on certain statements appearing on the packaging. According to court documents, some products stated, among other things: "Created by Jo Malone CBE, founder of Jo Loves."
Zara maintains that this usage simply refers to Jo Malone personally and not to the perfume brand owned by Estée Lauder. The company also asserts that this collaboration is clearly presented as separate from the Jo Malone London brand.
The case illustrates the growing tensions around designer name rights in the luxury and beauty industry, particularly when historical founders leave companies that acquired their brands.
A spokesperson for Estée Lauder declined to comment publicly on the defense filed by the British subsidiary of Inditex, owner of Zara, as the legal battle continues in British courts.
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