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Fragrance entrepreneur Jo Malone is facing legal action from Estee Lauder’s parent company over the use of her own name.
Ms Malone, who sold her eponymous fragrance brand to Estee Lauder in 1999, later established her new venture, Jo Loves, in 2011.
The businesswoman recently developed perfumes for high street giant Zara.
High Court records show an intellectual property claim was filed on Wednesday by Estee Lauder Europe and Jo Malone Limited against Ms Malone personally, Jo Loves and ITX Limited, which trades as Zara.
No documents are currently available in the case, which has been brought over alleged trademark infringement, passing off and breach of contract.
A spokesperson for the Estee Lauder Companies, the group behind beauty brands including Estee Lauder, MAC and Clinique, said the group has “invested significantly” in the Jo Malone London brand.
They said that after Ms Malone sold her brand in 1999, she agreed to “clear contractual terms”, which included not using her name “in certain commercial contexts, including the marketing of fragrances”.
The spokesperson continued: “She was compensated as part of this agreement, and for many years, she abided by its terms.
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Estee Lauder says the group has ‘invested significantly’ in the Jo Malone London brand (Reuters)
“Ms Malone’s use of the name ‘Jo Malone’ in connection with recent commercial ventures goes beyond that legal agreement and undermines Jo Malone London’s unique brand equity.
“We respect Ms Malone’s right to pursue new opportunities.
“But legally binding contractual obligations cannot be disregarded, and when those terms are breached, we will protect the brand that we have invested in and built over decades.”
Last year, Estee Lauder revealed it would make up to 7,000 job cuts worldwide as part of a cost-saving overhaul as it braced for tariff increases amid fears of a global trade war sparked by US president Donald Trump.
It said the figure was on a net basis, after taking account of some staff who are looking to retrain and redeploy in other roles.