Graham Webb v. Lauder
This article was originally published in The Rose Sheet
Executive Summary
Lawsuit claiming breach of contract related to Estee Lauder's acquisition of Bumble & bumble will proceed after St. Paul, Minn. federal court denied eight counts in defendant's motions to dismiss. Although court dismissed claims of acting in concert, unfair competition and breach of covenant of good faith and fair dealing, claims including breach of confidentiality, interference with contracts and breach of duty of confidentiality will be heard, according to ruling. Graham Webb, which claims it had prior deal to purchase salon brand, filed suit in September seeking $50 mil. in damages (1"The Rose Sheet" Sept. 25, 2000, p. 3). Lauder later filed motions to dismiss, claiming Graham Webb never had "definitive and final agreement" with Bumble & bumble (2"The Rose Sheet" April 2, p. 7)