Q1: A federal appeals court in Philadelphia rejected Johnson & Johnson’s attempts to end thousands of lawsuits regarding its talc-based products via Chapter 11 bankruptcy. Athena Cosmetics won a court battle over trademark infringement. Revolution Beauty’s problems continued as internal corruption was highlighted in the auditor BDO LLP report.
A District of Columbia federal court threw out a case brought by GlycoBioSciences charging L’Oréal with patent infringement. Bayer and Beiersdorf settled a class-action lawsuit brought against the Coppertone sun care brand. A New York judge gave the go-ahead for a lawsuit brought by Essilor Luxottica against JP Morgan.
Amarte filed a lawsuit claiming that Marc Jacobs Beauty’s Eye-conic palettes infringed on its registered Eyeconic trademark. A Chicago-based federal judge ruled in favor of Unilever in a suit alleging that the manufacturer’s TRESemme range contained a formaldehyde-releasing preservative. Avon was ordered to pay US$10.3 million in punitive damages to a plaintiff who developed cancer after using talc-based powders sold by the beauty brand.
Q2: Zalando contested its categorization under the EU’s Digital Services Act at the Court of Justice, marking the legislation’s first legal challenge. 3M reached an agreement to resolve multiple lawsuits from U.S. cities alleging water contamination by PFAS.
A model filed a lawsuit against Kylie Cosmetics, asserting delayed payment for her work in 2020. Chautauqua Soap Company initiated a class-action lawsuit against flavor and fragrance firms, including Symrise, Givaudan, and Firmenich, following a global price-fixing investigation in Europe.
Procter & Gamble’s Oral-B brand found itself facing a class-action lawsuit over sending unsolicited text messages to consumers. Johnson & Johnson returned to court to defend its talc products amidst challenges to its settlement process through a Texas two-step bankruptcy method. Our Own Candle Company launched a class-action lawsuit against major fragrance manufacturers, alleging a violation of antitrust laws. The company claims that Givaudan, Symrise, Firmenich, and IFF conspired to fix prices.
Japan’s Patent Office rejected L’Oréal’s case against the registration of the trademark ‘Noreal’. Bed, Bath & Beyond endeavored to recover $31.7 million from shipping companies following its bankruptcy. Whittaker, Clark & Daniels filed for bankruptcy after being ordered to pay $29 million in damages to a cancer victim.
Q3: Church & Dwight agreed to a US$2.5 million payout to settle a class-action lawsuit. The suit claimed that the personal care manufacturer knew its Batiste dry shampoo products were contaminated with benzene. Oil De Lamor emerged as the winner in its legal conflict with prominent brands over perfume trademark issues. The biotech company Amyris, Inc. voluntarily initiated Chapter 11 proceedings and intended to divest its consumer brands. A court in New Jersey denied Johnson & Johnson’s effort to address its talc-related liabilities through a Chapter 11 bankruptcy avenue.
3M proposed a $10.3 billion settlement to address PFAS-related water pollution, which encountered resistance. Johnson & Johnson embarked on legal proceedings against four researchers who associated its talc-infused products with cancer. Henkel and Thriving Brands settled a class-action lawsuit centered on benzene risks in Right Guard-branded products. L’Oréal pushed for the dismissal of a lawsuit accusing the beauty titan of manufacturing and selling ‘toxic’ hair relaxers. Mattel contested Burberry’s effort to trademark ‘BRBY’, asserting that these initials might be misidentified with its renowned Barbie doll line. Symrise approached the European Union’s General Court with an appeal to overturn the European Commission’s decision to inspect fragrance firms for data.
Q4: Walgreens Boots Alliance agreed to a substantial $192.5 million settlement in a class-action lawsuit initiated by Rite Aid investors. Unilever, the UK-based FMCG giant, reached an in-principle settlement over its use of ‘Not Done Yet’ to promote its Degree deodorant brand. In the Netherlands, the consumer group Stichting Data Bescherming Nederland (SDBN) filed a lawsuit against Amazon. Colgate Palmolive awaited a court’s decision on its motion for summary judgment in a case alleging the toothpaste manufacturer breached its fiduciary duty under ERISA. Revlon faced legal scrutiny for potentially misleading product labeling, specifically regarding its ‘ammonia-free’ hair color products.
Bernard Arnault, CEO of luxury goods conglomerate LVMH, was put under investigation by French prosecutors following a potential money laundering alert involving a deal with a Russian businessman. Amazon faced scrutiny from the US Federal Trade Commission and 17 states over alleged anti-competitive practices. A medical researcher, previously sued by Johnson & Johnson for her 2019 study linking talc to cancer, requested a federal judge to dismiss the case. The Estée Lauder Companies agreed to a settlement in a class-action lawsuit alleging breach of fiduciary duties under ERISA due to excessive fees.
A federal judge gave the nod to a series of claims that chemical hair relaxers made by Revlon and L’Oréal caused cancer and other injuries. The Zhejiang High Court ruled in favor of Henkel Co., Ltd., ordering Fuzhou Yiqian Beauty and Hairdressing Co., Ltd. and Nanchang Magic Styling Co., Ltd. to pay RMB 15 million for infringing on the ‘Schwarzkopf’ trademark rights. A US appeals court found in favor of 3M, Corteva, DuPont, and others in a class-action lawsuit that accused about ten chemical manufacturers of contaminating the environment through the production and supply of PFAS. Bed Bath & Beyond’s bankruptcy estate filed a lawsuit against Mediterranean Shipping Co., seeking $300 million. Estée Lauder is facing a class-action lawsuit alleging that the company misled investors about product demand and inventory levels, leading to a significant drop in its stock price. The UK’s Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) announced that it will scrutinize ‘green’ claims made by Unilever through a formal investigation.
Aesthetic supplies USA refers to products and equipment used in the field of aesthetic medicine and cosmetic treatments that are available for purchase in the United States. These supplies encompass a wide range of items necessary for various aesthetic procedures and treatments conducted by professionals such as dermatologists, plastic surgeons, aestheticians, and other qualified practitioners.
Examples of aesthetic supplies include:
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Dermal Fillers: Injectable substances used to restore volume and reduce wrinkles.
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Botulinum Toxin (Botox): Injectables used to temporarily relax facial muscles and reduce wrinkles.
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Laser Devices: Equipment used for hair removal, skin rejuvenation, tattoo removal, and other laser treatments.
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Chemical Peels: Solutions applied to the skin to exfoliate and improve texture.
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Microdermabrasion Devices: Tools used for mechanical exfoliation to rejuvenate skin.
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Microneedling Devices: Devices that create tiny punctures in the skin to stimulate collagen production.
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Cosmeceuticals: Skincare products that contain biologically active ingredients with pharmaceutical-like benefits.
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Sterilization and Disinfection Products: Essential for maintaining hygiene and preventing infections in clinical settings.
