Estée Lauder sues Walmart over alleged counterfeits
Retail Dive·2026-02-12 17:07

Core Viewpoint - Estée Lauder, Inc. has filed a complaint against Walmart, Inc. for trademark infringement related to counterfeit products sold through Walmart's third-party marketplace [1][2]. Group 1: Complaint Details - The complaint alleges that counterfeit products violating trademarks for brands such as Le Labo, La Mer, Estée Lauder, Clinique, Aveda, and Tom Ford were sold through Walmart's marketplace [1]. - Estée Lauder argues that shoppers could reasonably believe Walmart is the seller of these counterfeit products due to the way sellers are disclosed on Walmart's listings [2]. - The company claims that Walmart's assertion of vetting third-party sellers implies that Walmart "permitted and selected" the sellers of the counterfeit products [2]. Group 2: Legal Actions and Requests - Estée Lauder seeks a jury trial and requests that Walmart be ordered to stop importing, selling, and advertising the accused counterfeit products [3]. - The company is also seeking damages and demands that Walmart disclose the suppliers or manufacturers of the counterfeit products, along with an accounting of Walmart's profits from these sales [3]. - The complaint includes unnamed defendants, as Estée Lauder is currently unaware of their true identities and capacities, and is open to amending the complaint once this information is obtained [4].

Estée Lauder sues Walmart over alleged counterfeits - Reportify