Moroccanoil and Marc Anthony drop legal battle over argan oil

The litigation was filed in the United States District Court for the Central District of California and the Federal Court of Canada, together with the proceedings in international trademark offices.

Moroccanoil is a pioneer provider of hair care products and treatments that are focused on the use of premium argan oil, and claims to be the first company to create a buzz over the use of the oil in hair care products with its Morroccanoil Treatment. 

Legal action over trademark infringements​

Executives at Morrocanoil decided to take legal action against Marc Anthony’s Oil of Morocco argan oil products for trademark and trade dress infringement, claiming they were passing off and unfair competition.

The legal action challenged Marc Anthony’s trademark registrations in Canada, the United States and other overseas markets.

The companies conceded that all legal proceedings have been discontinued and that both parties are satisfied with the resolution, which will continue to protect the intellectual property for both businesses.

Argan oil is now important for the Moroccan economy​

Argan oil is a key ingredient in many products in the continually growing natural cosmetics segment, and as a results it has given a boost to the Moroccan economy on the back of strong sales of the raw ingredient.

The Moroccan government has stated it is readying the country to tap into the continuing rise of the ingredient’s popularity, with plans reportedly afoot to more than double the country’s oil production.

“As far as the product is concerned, we have to go from 4,000 tons today, to 10,000 tons​,” a government spokesman was quoted as saying back in July last year.

Applications for hair and skin care​

Due to its strong anti-oxidant properties, numerous studies have shown that Argan oil can be used effectively as an anti-wrinkle treatment and in the fight against acne.

Likewise, there has been an explosion of hair oil products containing Argan oil, and the trend is now also contributing to the development of a small but rising segment: scalp care.