Zara denies Jo Malone trademark infringement in Estee Lauder court case

Friday 08 May 2026 - 09:45

The fashion retailer Zara has denied allegations that it infringed the Jo Malone trademark in an ongoing legal dispute brought by beauty giant Estée Lauder Companies in the United Kingdom.

The case, currently before the UK High Court, concerns the use of the name “Jo Malone” in connection with fragrances sold through Zara’s retail channels. Zara argues that its use of the name complies with agreed principles linked to a collaboration involving British perfumer Jo Malone.

Jo Malone, who previously founded the Jo Malone London brand—now owned by Estée Lauder—later launched her own label, Jo Loves, and began a fragrance partnership with Zara in 2019. The legal dispute centers on how her name appears in product descriptions and packaging, rather than on the branding of the bottles themselves.

According to court documents, Estée Lauder claims that Zara’s use of the name in marketing materials could create confusion among consumers and potentially infringe existing trademark protections. The company purchased the Jo Malone brand and naming rights in 1999 and maintains control over its commercial use.

Zara’s parent company, Inditex, through its UK subsidiary, argues that references to Jo Malone were used in accordance with guidelines reportedly established during earlier agreements. The company maintains that the collaboration was transparent and clearly distinct from the Jo Malone London brand owned by Estée Lauder.

The dispute highlights broader tensions in the global luxury and cosmetics industries, where brand identity, celebrity collaborations, and naming rights often intersect. Intellectual property cases involving perfumes and fashion partnerships have become increasingly common as companies seek to leverage well-known names to boost marketing appeal.

Legal experts note that trademark disputes in the fragrance sector often depend on consumer perception, contractual agreements, and the specific context in which a name is used. The outcome of the case could have implications for future collaborations between luxury brands and independent creators.

Estée Lauder has declined to comment on the latest defense filings, while proceedings in the UK High Court are ongoing.