Ritter Sport nears legal victory in trademark dispute over square packaging

trademark dispute packaging design Monnemer Quadrat Bio intellectual property food industry

Ritter Sport is facing a significant legal development in its trademark dispute against Mannheim-based startup Wacker GmbH. During an appeal hearing at the Oberlandesgericht Stuttgart, presiding judge Christoph Stefani signaled that the court is likely to rule in favor of the chocolate manufacturer.

The dispute centers on the packaging of Wacker’s ‘Monnemer Quadrat Bio’ oat bar. Ritter Sport claims the square design violates its trademarked packaging, which has been protected since 1996. The court noted an ‘extraordinary’ visual similarity between the two products and warned of a high risk of consumer confusion, noting that both items serve as similar ‘snacks and energy providers’ often sold in the same retail locations.

Wacker GmbH, which launched the product in late 2024, stated the design was a tribute to Mannheim’s grid-like city layout. Following the initial legal pressure, the company temporarily removed the product from its assortment and introduced a rectangular version called the ‘Monnemer Klageriegel’ to mitigate potential damages. A final verdict is expected on November 5.

Entities

Christoph Stefani · German Patent and Trade Mark Office · Higher Regional Court of Stuttgart · Mannheim · Matteo Wacker · Oberlandesgericht Stuttgart · Ritter Sport · Wacker · Wacker GmbH

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.

[● 4 SOURCES] Ritter Sport claims the oat bar packaging violates its trademark registered since 1996. www.allgaeuer-zeitung.de · courage-lounge.de · www.leinetal24.de
[● 4 SOURCES] Ritter Sport filed an appeal at the Higher Regional Court of Stuttgart. www.allgaeuer-zeitung.de · courage-lounge.de · www.leinetal24.de
[● 4 SOURCES] Wacker released the ‘Monnemer Quadrat Bio’ oat bars in November 2024. www.allgaeuer-zeitung.de · courage-lounge.de · www.leinetal24.de
[● 4 SOURCES] Ritter Sport is seeking damages and a recall of distributed products. www.allgaeuer-zeitung.de · courage-lounge.de · www.leinetal24.de
[● 4 SOURCES] Ritter Sport lost a previous ruling at the Stuttgart District Court in January. www.allgaeuer-zeitung.de · courage-lounge.de · www.leinetal24.de
[● 4 SOURCES] Matteo Wacker stated the packaging design was inspired by Mannheim’s city center. www.allgaeuer-zeitung.de · courage-lounge.de · www.leinetal24.de
[● 2 SOURCES] Ritter Sport previously lost a legal battle regarding this matter at the Landgericht Stuttgart in January 2025. www.dk-online.de · www.noz.de
[● 2 SOURCES] Ritter Sport claims the Monnemer Quadrat Bio packaging violates its trademarked square design protected since 1996. www.dk-online.de · www.noz.de
[● 2 SOURCES] Ritter Sport is seeking damages, a ban on the use of the current packaging, and a recall of distributed goods. www.dk-online.de · www.noz.de
[● 2 SOURCES] Wacker CEO Matteo Wacker stated the packaging design was inspired by the square layout of Mannheim's city center. www.dk-online.de · www.noz.de