Fashion retailer Zara has denied infringing the Jo Malone trademark in a legal dispute brought by cosmetics giant Estee Lauder in the UK High Court. Zara argued that its collaboration with perfumer Jo Malone follows guidelines previously set by Estee Lauder regarding how her name can be used in marketing. The dispute centers on Zara fragrance descriptions and packaging referencing Malone as the creator and founder of Jo Loves.

Estee Lauder, which bought the Jo Malone fragrance brand and rights to the name in 1999, claims Malone agreed not to use her name commercially in certain fragrance-related contexts. Zara’s UK unit said the wording used on its website and packaging complies with guidance issued by Estee Lauder’s lawyers in 2020, including referring to her as “Jo Malone CBE” and clearly separating her personal identity from the Jo Malone London brand.

The case also raises broader questions about how Malone can refer to herself professionally after selling rights to her name. Malone defended the Zara partnership publicly, saying the collaboration was with her personally and not linked to the Jo Malone London company. Zara also rejected claims that it misled consumers or positioned the perfumes as low-cost imitations, noting the fragrances are sold under Zara branding with prices significantly below Jo Malone London products.

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