Estee Lauder Sues Walmart Over Alleged Counterfeit Fragrances

Cosmetics giant claims retail giant sold knockoffs of its high-end brands.

Published on Feb. 10, 2026

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Estee Lauder has filed a lawsuit against Walmart, accusing the retail giant of selling counterfeit versions of Estee Lauder's fragrance and skincare brands, including Clinique, Tom Ford, and Le Labo, through Walmart's website. Estee Lauder is seeking monetary damages and a court order to block Walmart from selling the alleged counterfeits.

Why it matters

The lawsuit highlights the ongoing challenge of combating counterfeit goods, especially as e-commerce platforms have expanded. Estee Lauder's fragrance business has been a growth area, particularly with younger consumers drawn to brands like Le Labo and Tom Ford, so protecting its intellectual property is crucial.

The details

According to the lawsuit, Walmart sold products through its website that featured identical branding to Estee Lauder's high-end fragrance and skincare lines, including Tom Ford and Le Labo fragrances, Clinique and La Mer skin creams, and Aveda hair brushes. Estee Lauder claims Walmart has done "very little to ensure that only authorized and authentic products are available" on its e-commerce platform, leading to the sale of counterfeit goods that are likely to confuse consumers.

  • Estee Lauder filed the lawsuit in a California federal court on Monday, February 10, 2026.

The players

Estee Lauder

A multinational cosmetics company that owns high-end fragrance and skincare brands such as Clinique, Tom Ford, and Le Labo.

Walmart

The world's largest retailer, based in Bentonville, Arkansas, which has expanded its e-commerce platform in recent years.

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What’s next

The judge will need to decide whether to grant Estee Lauder's request for a court order to block Walmart from selling the alleged counterfeit products.

The takeaway

This case highlights the ongoing challenge of combating counterfeit goods, especially as e-commerce platforms have expanded. Protecting intellectual property is crucial for high-end brands like Estee Lauder, which are vulnerable to knockoffs that can confuse consumers and undermine their brand value.