Jo Malone vs Estee Lauder: Legal Battle Over Brand Name

0:00On March 12, British fragrance creator Joe Malone is in the middle of a legal fight with Estee Lauder companies, the giant that bought her original brand. Back in 1999, she sold the Joe Malone perfume line to Estee Lauder, then started a new one called Joe Loves in 2011. This week, the company filed a lawsuit in Britain's high court against Malone herself. Joe Loves and ITX limited the firm behind Zara Stores. They're claiming breach of contract, trademark issues, and passing off. Mainly over Joe Malone's name, appearing on Joe Loves' fragrance packaging sold at. Zara. Estee Lauder says the 1999 deal included limits on her using the name in business, and she got paid well for it. They abided by the rules for years, but recent moves hurt the brand they've built up over decades, so they're stepping in to defend it. Some Joe Loves and Zara collab perfumes are still up for grabs online, crediting her as the founder. No word yet from Malone, Joe Loves, or Zara's parent company, and it's unclear which

1:02exact products or time frame are in question. We'll see how this plays out in court.