Jo Malone

Jo Malone is a British perfumer who sold her eponymous perfume brand, Jo Malone London, to Estée Lauder Companies in 1999. She is newsworthy because Estée Lauder is currently suing her for over £200,000 for using her name on fragrances she created in collaboration with the fashion retailer Zara. Estée Lauder claims that this collaboration infringes on their rights to the 'Jo Malone' trademark, which they acquired when they purchased Jo Malone London. Malone has expressed surprise and sadness at the lawsuit. The case highlights the complexities of trademark ownership and the rights of individuals to use their own names in business ventures, even after selling a company bearing that name.