US cosmetics giant Estée Lauder Companies has filed a lawsuit against British perfumer Jo Malone over her use of her name in a collaboration with High Street retailer Zara.
Estée Lauder purchased Malone’s original perfume brand, Jo Malone, in 1999, including the rights to her name. The lawsuit claims that Malone’s recent Zara collaboration, under her new brand Jo Loves, violated that agreement.
Packaging for the collaboration read: “A creation by Jo Malone CBE, founder of Jo Loves”. Estée Lauder says this use of her name “undermines Jo Malone London’s unique brand identity.”
Malone previously expressed regret over selling the commercial rights to her own name. Under the 1999 deal, she agreed not to use “Jo Malone” for marketing purposes.
The lawsuit targets Jo Malone, Jo Loves, and Zara UK, citing trademark infringement, breach of contract, and passing off, which occurs when customers are misled into thinking a product belongs to another company.
Founded in the early 1990s, Jo Malone’s fragrance business became popular for unique scents inspired by British nature and blossoms. The brand later expanded to candles, bath products, and luxury home fragrances.
A spokesperson for Estée Lauder said the company had “invested significantly in building Jo Malone London” over the past 25 years. They added:
“Ms Malone was compensated in the original agreement and abided by its terms for many years. While we respect her right to explore new opportunities, contractual obligations must be upheld, and we will protect the brand we have built over decades.”
