Estée Lauder Sues Walmart Over Alleged Sale of Counterfeit Fragrances

Cosmetics giant claims Walmart marketplace listed fake versions of its products and other major brands

Published on Feb. 11, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

Estée Lauder has filed a federal lawsuit against Walmart, accusing the retail giant of selling counterfeit versions of its fragrances and other major beauty brands like La Mer, Le Labo, Clinique, Aveda, and Tom Ford on its online marketplace. The complaint alleges that Walmart has done little to ensure only authentic products are sold through its platform, leading to consumer confusion.

Why it matters

This lawsuit highlights the ongoing challenge of combating counterfeit goods, especially in the age of e-commerce marketplaces. Estée Lauder is seeking damages and a court order to block Walmart from selling the alleged fake products, as the proliferation of counterfeits can undermine consumer trust and brand reputation.

The details

According to the lawsuit, Estée Lauder purchased and tested multiple products on Walmart.com that used the trademarks of its brands as well as La Mer, Le Labo, Clinique, Aveda, and Tom Ford, but were determined to be counterfeit. The complaint includes photos of the alleged fake products, including an Estée Lauder Advanced Night Repair serum, a Le Labo fragrance, a Clinique eye cream, a La Mer lotion, an Aveda hair brush, and a Tom Ford fragrance.

  • The lawsuit was filed on February 9, 2026 in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California.

The players

Estée Lauder

A major American cosmetics company that owns several high-end beauty and fragrance brands.

Walmart

The world's largest company by revenue and a leading American retail corporation that operates a large online marketplace in addition to its brick-and-mortar stores.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What’s next

The judge will need to decide whether to grant Estée Lauder's request for a court order to block Walmart from selling the alleged counterfeit products, in addition to determining any monetary damages.

The takeaway

This lawsuit underscores the challenges e-commerce platforms face in policing their marketplaces for counterfeit goods, which can erode consumer trust and brand reputation. It also highlights the ongoing battle between major brands and counterfeiters seeking to profit off their intellectual property.