British fragrance entrepreneur Jo Malone is facing legal action over the use of her own name by cosmetics giant Estee Lauder Companies.
Ms Malone set up her self-named Jo Malone perfume brand before selling it to the firm in 1999, in 2011 she launched a new fragrance label called Jo Loves.
High Court records show an intellectual property claim was filed on Wednesday by Estee Lauder Europe and Jo Malone Limited against Ms Malone personally, Jo Loves and ITX Limited, which trades as Zara.
The company is suing the parties for a breach of contract, trademark infringement and “passing off” – the practice of making consumers think goods or services are those of another company.
The company said the use of “Jo Malone” on the packaging of “Jo Loves” fragrances sold by Zara formed the basis of the lawsuit.
An Estee Lauder Companies spokesperson said that restrictions against using the name Jo Malone in some commercial settings were a condition of Ms Malone’s 1999 brand sale.
The spokesperson continued: “She was compensated as part of this agreement, and for many years, she abided by its terms.
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“Ms Malone’s use of the name ‘Jo Malone’ in connection with recent commercial ventures goes beyond that legal agreement and undermines Jo Malone London’s unique brand equity.”
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The company stated it would “protect the brand that we have invested in and built over decades”.
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It is not clear exactly what time period or which products or packaging the case refers to.
A selection of collab “Jo Loves” Zara perfumes is still available from Zara’s online shop. “Created by Jo Malone CBE, founder of Jo Loves”, reads a section of the range’s product descriptions.
Jo Loves and Zara’s UK parent Inditex were not immediately available for comment.
Sky News was unable to reach Ms Malone.
