UK national treasure sued by Estee Lauder for using her own name | UK | News
The lawsuit claims £200,000 in damages (Image: Victoria Jones/PA Wire)
Perfume entrepreneur Jo Malone has been sued for more than £200,000 after she used her name on Zara perfumes. The claim alleges companies linked to Jo Malone and her infringed trademarks, according to Supreme Court documents.
Ms. Malone sold her eponymous perfume brand to Estée Lauder in 1999 for millions of dollars. She founded the brand Jo Loves in 2011 and has recently created perfumes for high street retailer Zara. Earlier this month, Estee Lauder Europe and Jo Malone Limited filed suit against Ms Malone personally, as well as Jo Loves and ITX Limited, which operates under the name Zara, alleging trademark infringement, trademark infringement and breach of contract.
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Malone founded Jo Loves in 2011 (Image: Getty)
In court documents, lawyers for Jo Malone Ltd and Estee Lauder said they “expect to receive compensation of more than £200,000” through the claim.
They are also seeking an injunction to force Ms. Malone to “withdraw her alleged permission” to ITX to use the Jo Malone name.
Ms Malone, Jo Loves and ITX have not yet filed a defense against the claim.
Estee Lauder and Jo Malone Ltd’s Mark Vanhegan KC said in court documents that the Jo Malone brand, which has more than 100 stores, counters and outlets in the UK, generated net sales of more than $990 million worldwide last year.
He said Ms Malone began using the names “Jo Malone” and “Jo Malone CBE” in relation to Jo Loves products in early 2024.
Estee Lauder and Jo Malone Ltd filed a complaint in April that year, claiming it had breached the terms of the 1999 sales agreement.
The lawyer said Ms Malone and Jo Loves agreed the following month to stop using the name “Jo Malone” on their products and withdraw them from sale, as well as other phrases such as “Created by Jo Malone”, which can be seen on the Jo Loves website.
However, Mr Vanhegan said Ms Malone and Jo Loves “continue to use the Jo Malone trademarks in connection with the Jo Loves business”, adding that they “refuse to acknowledge or confirm that the actions complained of constitute registered trademark infringement, brand infringement or breach of contract”.
The lawyer later said that at an unknown date, Zara began selling “affordable scents, perfumes, hand creams, skin creams and scented candle products” using the name “Jo Malone”, which was introduced by the businesswoman.
He said these were “low-cost, budget products that tarnish claimants’ reputation for luxury and exclusivity.”
He added: “Such use allows the relevant defendants to benefit from the fame and reputation of the Jo Malone trademarks without contributing to the creation of that fame and reputation.”
He continued: “Defendants’ use of the marks tarnishes plaintiffs’ reputation for high-quality, luxurious and exclusive fragrances for men and women.
“The defendants and each of them intentionally set out to take unfair advantage of the Jo Malone trademarks.”
“The plaintiffs have suffered loss and damage and will continue to suffer further loss and damage unless restrained by the court,” the lawyer said.
