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Estée Lauder sues Walmart over alleged sale of counterfeit beauty products

Estée Lauder has filed a lawsuit against Walmart in California federal court, accusing the retailer of facilitating the sale of counterfeit beauty products on its online marketplace and failing to adequately vet third-party sellers. The complaint alleges that fake versions of products from brands including La Mer, Le Labo, Clinique, Aveda, Tom Ford, and Estée Lauder were sold on Walmart.com. Items cited include counterfeit Advanced Night Repair serum, Clinique eye cream and La Mer lotion. Estée Lauder said it purchased and tested several products bearing its trademarks and determined they were not authentic. While the listings were operated by third-party sellers, Estée Lauder claims Walmart played an active role in promoting and facilitating the sales. In response to the suit, Walmart said it has “zero tolerance for counterfeit products” and will respond in court.