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Report: Fighting Perfume Dupes Is a ‘Lost Cause’

A survey of UK fragrance consumers found that half had purchased copycats of more expensive fragrances, which are increasingly hard to legally protect, lawyers and analysts told The Guardian.
Three fragrance bottles against a pink background
Trademarking scents is a difficult process that, due to finite patent durations, may not be worth the trouble. (Getty)

One perfume smells suspiciously like a £355 ($467) bottle of Baccarat Rouge 540 eau de parfum. Another, which has notes of grapefruit, rose and Levantine spice, is reminiscent of a £215 bottle of Penhaligon’s Halfeti. But unlike those luxury brands, these “dupe scents” can cost as little as a fiver.

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