Overview
- Zara’s UK owner ITX denied trademark infringement in High Court papers, saying its use of “Jo Malone” on packaging and online follows principles Estée Lauder set out in 2020.
- Jo Malone’s legal team filed a separate defence that rejects infringement, passing off and breach of contract, arguing she can use her own name without confusing shoppers.
- Estée Lauder says the 1999 sale bars some commercial uses of “Jo Malone” in fragrance marketing and argues recent uses damage Jo Malone London’s brand equity.
- The case focuses on Zara perfumes that show only Zara branding on the bottles while website text and back labels credit “Jo Malone CBE, founder of Jo Loves,” which the defendants say clearly identifies the individual.
- The lawsuit was filed in March after years of activity that both sides cite: Lauder bought the business in 1999, Malone left in 2006, launched Jo Loves in 2011, and began her Zara collaboration in 2019.