Company News, Regulations

Lush Lashes Out at Amazon Over Product Alternatives

Court ruling could have a major impact on how retailers and others buy keywords.

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By: TOM BRANNA

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The common online practice of offering “alternative” products is getting scrutinized after Lush Cosmetics sued Amazon for trademark infringement in a UK court. In the suit, Lush insists that Amazon is purchasing key words related to Lush in an attempt to trick consumers and drive traffic to Amazon's website, which does not carry Lush products. A ruling is expected early in 2014.

Lush also said that when customers search for Lush’s products on Amazon’s U.K. site, they’re shown competitors’ products. “This, on a website designed for speedy transactions, can lead to customers mistaking other [companies’] products as being from Lush,” the company said. “There is a lack of clarity over the origins of the products. This is not a theoretical risk as…customers have said they have been misled.”


Lush noted that when it raised the issue with Amazon, it was directed to the firm’s sales team. “Lush is our house mark, and our business is dependent on it. We will always protect our name,” the firm said.


 

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