Stephan Sues Elizabeth Arden Alleging Trademark Infringement

Stephan Co., a maker of branded and private label personal care products has filed a trademark infringement suit against high-end cosmetics maker Elizabeth Arden Inc. The lawsuit, filed in U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York, alleges that an Elizabeth Arden fragrance launched in March — Provocative Interlude — infringes upon Stephan’s Interlude trademark. Stephan said it has made various fragrances under the Interlude trademark since the 1960s. The suit seeks to block sales of the Elizabeth Arden product. Elizabeth Arden, Inc. believes that the lawsuit filed by The Stephan Co. is entirely without merit. According to the company, the US Trademark Office granted Elizabeth Arden a registration for the Provocative Interlude name and will fully assert its legal rights in this matter.