(qlmbusinessnews.com . Fri 13th Mar, 2026) London, UK —
Trademark Turmoil: Estée Lauder Sues Jo Malone Over Zara Collaboration
British perfume entrepreneur, Jo Malone, is entangled in a legal dispute with the American beauty conglomerate, Estée Lauder Companies, over the misuse of her name in a product line developed in collaboration with high street fashion titan, Zara.
Estée Lauder, which acquired Jo Malone's renowned perfume label, Jo Malone London, back in 1999 – securing the rights to her name in the process – has taken legal steps against Malone. This action is in response to her new venture, Jo Loves, and its association with Zara, which evidently bore her name on the products’ packaging, stating: “A creation by Jo Malone CBE, founder of Jo Loves.”
The lawsuit names Jo Malone, her brand Jo Loves, and Zara’s British operation, alleging trademark infringement and breach of contract. While efforts were made to obtain comments from Malone, Zara's UK representatives have opted not to comment on the matter.
The collaboration between Zara and Jo Loves dates back to 2019, a time during which Malone has openly voiced her regret over the sale of her rights to use her own name for commercial ventures. The agreement signed in 1999 strictly prohibited Malone from using the “Jo Malone” name in a business context, particularly in the fragrance marketing arena.
Adding to the fray, Estée Lauder Companies is also pursuing a case concerning ‘passing off' – a legal term referring to the act of misleading customers into believing they are purchasing products from a different manufacturer.
Malone’s foray into the world of fragrance in the early 1990s quickly catapulted her to fame, with her brand gaining acclaim for its unique scents inspired by British flora and expanding into a range of scented candles and bath essentials.
Speaking on behalf of Estée Lauder Companies, a spokesperson elaborated on the agreement reached with Malone at the time of the brand's sale, emphasizing the legally bound terms that included Malone refraining from employing her name in specific commercial scenarios. The spokesperson added, “While we honour Ms Malone’s quest for new ventures, we cannot overlook contractual obligations. Should these terms be violated, we are prepared to safeguard the brand that we have meticulously cultivated over many years.”
The case draws parallels with prior legal tangles involving fashion designers Karen Millen and Elizabeth Emanuel, the latter of whom played a pivotal role in crafting Princess Diana’s wedding gown. Both designers confronted the challenge of losing the rights to their names in a business capacity post-sale of their companies, although Emanuel eventually reclaimed her name rights after several years.
Ben Evans, trademark head at law firm Harper James, observed, “UK courts have consistently demonstrated their readiness to enforce agreed-upon terms, even if they limit an individual’s capacity to commercially use their name. That said, the crux of the matter will hinge on the specifics of the initial agreement – the scope of rights sold, the limitations consented to, and the intended breadth of these constraints.”
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