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NBC News
21 minutes ago
- Business
- NBC News
Oreo maker Mondelez sues Aldi over ‘copycat' packaging
Mondelēz International, the maker of snacks like Oreo, Chips Ahoy! and Nutter Butter, has filed a trademark infringement lawsuit against Aldi, accusing the supermarket of 'blatantly' copying the packaging for its food products. In May, Mondelēz, an Illinois corporation, submitted a 72-page federal complaint that claims Aldi uses similar packaging on its store items that 'trades upon the valuable reputation and goodwill' of multiple 'cookie and cracker snack products.' The corporation said in the court documents, which were obtained by that Aldi's packaging is 'likely to deceive and confuse consumers and dilute the distinctive quality of Mondelēz's unique product packaging, and if not stopped, threaten to irreparably harm Mondelēz and its valuable brands.' has reached out to Mondelēz and Aldi for a comment. Mondelēz is suing for monetary damages and is also asking that the court stop Aldi, which has its headquarters in Germany, from distributing the alleged 'copycats.' The suit did not specify the amount for damages. The suit contained side-by-side comparisons of Mondelēz snacks next to items sold by the grocery chain. Next to images of Oreo, Wheat Thins, Nilla wafers and Ritz crackers were Aldi's Original Chocolate Sandwich Cookies With Vanilla Filling, Thin Wheat Original Crackers, Vanilla Wafers and Golden Round Crackers. Mondelēz pointed out similarities in packaging colors, fonts and symbols. 'Defendant's business model involves an emphasis on low-priced private label products that resemble the look and feel of well-known brands,' Mondelēz said about Aldi's marketing strategy. According to Mondelēz, the company previously contacted Aldi about its 'copycat' items. The suit alleged that Aldi responded to the request by discontinuing or changing the flagged products. But the supermarket has since, according to the snack company, 'continued its patterns and practice of selling products in packaging which infringes the trade dress of numerous Mondelēz products.' Aldi's dupes have been mentioned by customers over the years on social media. One Aldi Reddit thread compared the grocery chain's 'knockoff' of Velveeta cheese. An X user posted in 2023 that they enjoyed the dupes more than name brands. Many TikTok users have also shared videos of them trying Aldi ice cream flavors and comparing them to other brands. On Aldi's website, the company says it aims to save customers 'money on the food and products you want the most.' The supermarket described itself as 'the fastest-growing grocer in the U.S.' in a February press release. It also said it plans to open over 225 stores this year.
UPI
5 hours ago
- Business
- UPI
Chips Ahoy, Oreo maker sues grocery chain over 'copycat' packaging
The maker of Chips Ahoy cookies is suing a discount grocery store chain, claiming it 'blatantly' copied its chocolate chip cookie and other snack packaging to 'deceive and confuse' customers. Mondelez has filed a federal lawsuit against German grocer Aldi, seeking monetary damages and a court order to stop Aldi from selling the products. Photo by FDA June 3 (UPI) -- The maker of Chips Ahoy cookies is suing a discount grocery store chain, claiming it "blatantly" copied its chocolate chip cookie and other snack packaging to "deceive and confuse" customers. Mondelez, which also makes Oreos and Wheat Thins, filed the federal lawsuit May 27 against German grocer Aldi, seeking monetary damages and a court order to stop Aldi from selling the products. Aldi has more than 2,400 locations in the United States. The suit claims the supermarket chain, which has its U.S. headquarters in Illinois, also copied the snack company's packaging for its Teddy Grahams, Belvita biscuits, Nutter Butters and Ritz crackers. "Defendant is in the business of selling private label cookie and cracker snacks and has a pattern and practice of selling products in packaging that are unacceptable copies of Mondelez's trade dress," the lawsuit states. "Because of this misconduct, Mondelez has a history of enforcing its intellectual property rights against Defendant," the filing continues. "Indeed, Mondelez has contacted Defendant on numerous occasions objecting to Defendant's use of confusingly similar packaging and demanding that Defendant cease and desist its unlawful infringement." In the lawsuit, Mondelez displays side-by-side photos of Chips Ahoy cookies in blue and red packaging and Aldi's Chocolate Chip cookies in a similar blue or red. Nutter Butters in their red packaging are shown next to Aldi's Peanut Butter Creme-filled cookies also in red, and the yellow Wheat Thins box with small square crackers is shown next to Aldi's Thin Wheat crackers box, also in yellow with a picture of small square crackers. "Defendant's actions are likely to deceive and confuse consumers and dilute the distinctive quality of Mondelez's unique product packaging," according to the lawsuit, "and if not stopped, threaten to irreparably harm Mondelez and its valuable brands."
Yahoo
12 hours ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Chips Ahoy and Oreo maker Mondelez sues grocery chain Aldi over similar packaging
Snack brand giant Mondelez is suing grocery chain Aldi, alleging that the grocer's store-brand snack packaging 'blatantly copies' Mondelez. The maker of Oreo, Triscuit and Chips Ahoy filed the lawsuit on May 27 against the German grocer, which has US headquarters in Illinois, in the federal court for the Northern District of Illinois. Chicago-based Mondelez said in the lawsuit that Aldi's cookie and cracker packaging was 'likely to deceive and confuse' customers. Aldi did not respond to CNN's request for comment. The discount supermarket chain primarily sells store-brand versions for lower prices than popular name brands, such as those owned by Mondelez. Mondelez said in its filing that it previously contacted Aldi about 'copycats' of the Oreo cookie design, Teddy Grahams, Belvita biscuits, Triscuit crackers and Tate's Bake Shop cookies. Aldi eventually 'discontinued' and 'changed certain of these infringing products,' Mondelez said. Trademark lawyer Josh Gerben, who is not involved in this case, said the law is designed to protect consumers. 'I can go to the store and reasonably assume that I recognize the name, and that's who I'm buying from,' Gerben said, but some customers 'think that they might be buying something from the Oreo brand or Wheat Thins, but they're actually getting a substitute.' The lawsuit claims Aldi's peanut butter creme-filled cookies, chocolate chip cookies and Thin Wheat crackers have packaging similar to Nutter Butter, Chips Ahoy and Wheat Thins, among other similarities. Mondelez said in the lawsuit that 'if not stopped,' Aldi's packaging threatens to 'irreparably harm' Mondelez and its brands. Mondelez is seeking monetary damages as well as a court order to prevent Aldi from selling such products, according to the filing. Mondelez did not respond to CNN's request for comment. This is not the first time Aldi has faced a lawsuit over its store-brand products looking overtly similar in name, color and design to other brands. Last December, an Australian federal court said Aldi was liable for copyright infringement over children's snacks packaging that resembled Hampden Holdings' Baby Bellies puffs packaging. 'You want to fly close enough to the sun because you want the benefit of something,' but not too close, Gerben said. He added that such lawsuits are a case-by-case analysis and there's no 'bright line test' that would decide Aldi's liability. Aldi has over 2,400 locations in the United States. In February, the chain announced plans to open 225 stores in 2025. Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
New York Post
16 hours ago
- Business
- New York Post
Oreo maker sues Aldi, alleging supermarket copies its packaging
Snack food maker Mondelez International is suing the Aldi supermarket chain, alleging the packaging for Aldi's store-brand cookies and crackers 'blatantly copies' Mondelez products like Chips Ahoy, Wheat Thins and Oreos. In a federal lawsuit filed Tuesday in Illinois, Chicago-based Mondelez said Aldi's packaging was 'likely to deceive and confuse customers' and threatened to irreparably harm Mondelez and its brands. The company is seeking monetary damages and a court order that would stop Aldi from selling products that infringe on its trademarks. Aldi didn't respond to messages seeking comment. The U.S. branch of Aldi, which is based in Batavia, Illinois, was named in the lawsuit. Advertisement 3 Snack food maker Mondelez International is suing the Aldi supermarket chain. Brent Hofacker – 3 Mondelez said Aldi's packaging was 'likely to deceive and confuse customers' and threatened to irreparably harm Mondelez and its brands. AP In the lawsuit, Mondelez displayed side-by-side photos of multiple products. Aldi's Thin Wheat crackers, for example, come in a gold box very similar to Mondelez's Wheat Thins. Aldi's chocolate sandwich cookies and Oreos both have blue packaging. The supermarket's Golden Round crackers and Mondelez's Ritz crackers are packaged in red boxes. Advertisement Aldi, which was founded in Germany, keeps prices low by primarily selling products under its own labels. It's one of the fastest-growing grocery chains in the U.S., with more than 2,500 stores in 39 states. On Friday, the company announced that its current chief operating officer, Atty McGrath, would become Aldi's U.S. CEO on Sept. 1. 3 In the lawsuit, Mondelez displayed side-by-side photos of multiple products. Aldi's Thin Wheat crackers, for example, come in a gold box very similar to Mondelez's Wheat Thins. AP The chain has faced lawsuits over its packaging before. Last year, an Australian court found that Aldi infringed on the copyright of Baby Bellies snack puffs for young children. In that case, Aldi's packaging featured a cartoon owl and similar colors to the name-brand packaging. Earlier this year, a U.K. appeals court ruled in favor of Thatchers, a cider company, which sued Aldi over design similarities in the packaging of its lemon cider. Advertisement Mondelez said in its lawsuit that the company had contacted Aldi on numerous occasions about 'confusingly similar packaging.' Mondelez said Aldi discontinued or changed the packaging on some items but continued to sell others. The lawsuit also alleges that Aldi infringed on Mondalez's trade dress rights for the packaging of Nutter Butter and Nilla Wafers cookies, and its Premium cracker brand.
Time of India
3 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
Oreo maker Mondelez sues Aldi, alleging grocery chain copies its packaging to confuse customers
HighlightsMondelez International is suing Aldi supermarket chain for allegedly copying the packaging of its popular products like Chips Ahoy, Wheat Thins, and Oreos. The lawsuit claims that Aldi's packaging is likely to confuse customers and seeks monetary damages as well as a court order to prevent Aldi from selling infringing products. Aldi has faced similar lawsuits in the past regarding packaging similarities, including a recent case in Australia and a ruling in the U.K. in favor of Thatchers cider company. Snack food maker Mondelez International is suing the Aldi supermarket chain, alleging the packaging for Aldi's store-brand cookies and crackers "blatantly copies" Mondelez products like Chips Ahoy, Wheat Thins and Oreos. In a federal lawsuit filed Tuesday in Illinois, Chicago-based Mondelez said Aldi's packaging was "likely to deceive and confuse customers" and threatened to irreparably harm Mondelez and its brands. The company is seeking monetary damages and a court order that would stop Aldi from selling products that infringe on its trademarks. Aldi didn't respond to messages seeking comment. The U.S. branch of Aldi, which is based in Batavia, Illinois, was named in the lawsuit. In the lawsuit, Mondelez displayed side-by-side photos of multiple products. Aldi's Thin Wheat crackers, for example, come in a gold box very similar to Mondelez's Wheat Thins. Aldi's chocolate sandwich cookies and Oreos both have blue packaging. The supermarket's Golden Round crackers and Mondelez's Ritz crackers are packaged in red boxes. Aldi, which was founded in Germany, keeps prices low by primarily selling products under its own labels. It's one of the fastest-growing grocery chains in the U.S., with more than 2,500 stores in 39 states. On Friday, the company announced that its current chief operating officer, Atty McGrath, would become Aldi's U.S. CEO on Sept. 1. The chain has faced lawsuits over its packaging before. Last year, an Australian court found that Aldi infringed on the copyright of Baby Bellies snack puffs for young children. In that case, Aldi's packaging featured a cartoon owl and similar colors to the name-brand packaging. Earlier this year, a U.K. appeals court ruled in favor of Thatchers, a cider company, which sued Aldi over design similarities in the packaging of its lemon cider. Mondelez said in its lawsuit that the company had contacted Aldi on numerous occasions about "confusingly similar packaging." Mondelez said Aldi discontinued or changed the packaging on some items but continued to sell others. The lawsuit also alleges that Aldi infringed on Mondalez's trade dress rights for the packaging of Nutter Butter and Nilla Wafers cookies, and its Premium cracker brand.
