Stella McCartney Can Release Perfume

3 months ago 21st Aug 13:30

Stella McCartney will be allowed to launch her new perfume after a High Court bid to stop her failed.

Ali Hewson, wife of U2 frontman Bono, had asked for an injunction to stall McCartney's launch of latest fragrance StellaNude as she claimed it was an infringement on the trademark of her company Nude Brands Limited (NBL).

The effect of an injunction wrongly granted against SML would be to cause a massive disruption to their business, and probably cause them to abandon use of the brand altogether.

Mr Justice Floyd said the company's application for an interim injunction was to restrain Stella McCartney Limited (SML), YSL Beaute Limited and L'Oreal (UK) from "infringing" the trade mark registration "for the word 'NUDE' by applying the sign 'STELLANUDE' to perfume products.

But he ruled: "I have come to the conclusion that the balance of injustice in this case requires me to refuse the injunction.

"It seems to me that, in this particular case, the likely damage to SML and L'Oreal if an injunction is wrongly granted outweighs the damage to NBL if it is refused.''

"The effect of an injunction wrongly granted against SML would be to cause a massive disruption to their business, and probably cause them to abandon use of the brand altogether."

A full trial of the action - unless the parties settle in the meantime - is expected to be heard next year.