Swiss Court Backs Lindt In Chocolate Bunny Bust-up
Umer Jamshaid Published September 29, 2022 | 11:23 PM
Swiss luxury chocolatier Lindt & Sprungli has won its case against the local branch of budget supermarket chain Lidl over its similar-looking Easter bunnies, according to a court decision published Thursday
Zurich, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 29th Sep, 2022 ) :Swiss luxury chocolatier Lindt & Sprungli has won its case against the local branch of budget supermarket chain Lidl over its similar-looking Easter bunnies, according to a court decision published Thursday.
The Federal Supreme Court of Switzerland ruled that Lindt's chocolate bunny wrapped in aluminium foil, whether "golden or of another colour", should benefit from trademark protection against Lidl's rival product.
It banned the chain's Swiss branches Lidl Schweiz and Lidl Schweiz DL from selling its similar bunnies and ordered the destruction of any still in stock.
Launched in 1952, the golden bunny with a bell on a ribbon is one of Lindt's flagship products.
Lindt & Sprungli sued in 2018, claiming that Lidl's bunnies had a very similar shape and appearance and could be confused with its main Easter product.
But the commercial court of Switzerland's Aargau canton, west of Zurich, dismissed Lindt's action in 2021.
However, Switzerland's highest court overturned the decision, finding that Lidl's bunnies posed "a risk of confusion even if the two products present certain differences".
"Given the overall impression produced, Lidl's bunnies arouse obvious associations with the shape of Lindt's," the federal court said.
"In the public mind, they cannot be distinguished." Lindt provided consumer surveys showing that its bunny had achieved a level of general public awareness.
The Federal Supreme Court decided that it "can be considered common knowledge that the shapes that Lindt & Sprungli has had protected by trademark law are associated by a very large part of the public with the Lindt & Sprungli company".
Lindt said in a statement: "This verdict is a milestone for the protection of Lindt's golden bunny in its Swiss home market."Contacted by AFP, Lidl said it could not provide "any information concerning legal proceedings which are still ongoing".
Lindt & Sprungli employs approximately 14,600 people worldwide. In 2021, its turnover amounted to nearly 4.6 billion Swiss francs ($4.65 billion).
Recent Stories
Punjab CM inaugurates Pakistan’s first Virtual Women Police Station
Dutch model Donny Roelvink embraces Islam
Experts raise concerns over introduction of 10-stick packs
Iranian president arrives in Karachi
Law Minister expresses Govt's resolve to address issue of missing persons
Rizwan’s batting order may be changed: Sources
Nawaz Sharif to visit Guangzhou exhibition in China
FM Dar not traveling to China: Foreign Office
PM takes notice of deliberate delay in tax cases
Iranian President visits Allama Iqbal’s mausoleum
Iranian President arrives in Lahore today
Currency Rate In Pakistan - Dollar, Euro, Pound, Riyal Rates On 23 April 2024
More Stories From World
-
Migrant boat capsizes off Djibouti leaving 21 dead
4 hours ago -
Tesla profits tumble 55% as EV sales under pressure
4 hours ago -
Talks on global plastic treaty begin in Canada
5 hours ago -
Migrant deportations loom after parliament passes UK-Rwanda plan
5 hours ago -
Macron in last-ditch bid to halt EU vote battering
5 hours ago -
Ukraine moves to bring military-aged men home to fight
7 hours ago
-
Asia hit hardest by climate change, extreme weather: UN weather agency
7 hours ago -
Muscles and masterpieces: Louvre offers Olympic sport sessions
7 hours ago -
Migrant boat capsizes off Djibouti leaving 16 dead
7 hours ago -
UK Rwanda law sparks fear among migrants hoping to cross Channel
9 hours ago -
China issues highest-level rainstorm warning after deadly floods
9 hours ago -
UK's Sunak announces raised defence spending, new Ukraine aid
9 hours ago