THE world’s biggest cosmetic company is threatening to sue a tiny Scottish soap-making firm, claiming they own the term “naked”.
L’Oreal issued the Naked Soap Company in Dalgety Bay, Fife, a “notice of threatened opposition” yesterday.
The Paris-based cosmetic giant, which has a market capitalisation of £88bn and whose “ambassadors” include Hollywood actress Eva Longoria, claim they own the right to the word “naked” in relation to cosmetics.
The notice, on behalf of “L’Oreal S.A states: “I confirm that I wish to file this notice of threatened opposition and that a copy should be sent to the Trade Mark applicant.”
Local business, Naked Soap Company, who produce handmade soaps and bath bombs from a small, single-storey unit, said they are hiring a lawyer and plan to fight until the end.
Sharing an image of the letter on their Facebook page, Naked Soap Company wrote: “Wow.
“Turns out Loreal are trying to stop us from using our own company name. This is one fight we are not going to give up on." Naked Soap launched a petition to demand the firm stops damaging local businesses backed by 300 signatures.
Rachel Wilkinson-Duffy, a lawyer handling L’Oreal’s claim, declined to comment.
Naked Soap's owner Gary-Lee Rushforth said the firm was worth £250,000 - one 352,000th of L’Oreal's worth. He said: "We chose Naked because it describes who we are - no nasties, no preservatives.
"It’s ridiculous. How do you trademark a single word? It’s like trademarking ‘happy’, you just can’t do that."
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