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Ritter Sport appeals trademark dispute over square oat bar packaging
The chocolate manufacturer Ritter Sport is taking its legal battle against the Mannheim-based company Wacker to the Higher Regional Court of Stuttgart. The dispute centers on Wacker’s ‘Monnemer Quadrat Bio’ oat bar, which features square packaging.
Ritter Sport claims the design violates its trademarked packaging shape, which has been protected since 1996. The company argues that because chocolate and oat bars are similar goods consumed by similar target groups, the design creates a risk of brand confusion. Ritter Sport is seeking damages, an injunction against the use of the packaging, and a recall of existing stock.
Wacker’s managing director, Matteo Wacker, maintains there is no risk of confusion, stating the design was inspired by the square layout of Mannheim’s city center. Although Wacker had previously removed the product from its online shop in response to the conflict, the legal proceedings continue following a previous ruling in favor of Wacker at the District Court of Stuttgart.
Entities
Deutsches Patent- und Markenamt · German Patent and Trade Mark Office · Higher Regional Court of Stuttgart · Mannheim · Matteo Wacker · Oberlandesgericht Stuttgart · Ritter Sport · Wacker
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.
- [● 5 SOURCES] Ritter Sport is seeking damages, a ban on the current packaging, and a recall of products already delivered. courage-lounge.de · www.fehmarn24.de · www.leinetal24.de · www.op-online.de · www.wz.de
- [● 5 SOURCES] Wacker CEO Matteo Wacker maintains there is no risk of consumer confusion between the products. courage-lounge.de · www.fehmarn24.de · www.leinetal24.de · www.op-online.de · www.wz.de
- [● 5 SOURCES] Ritter Sport claims the square packaging of the oat bar violates its trademarked design registered since 1996. courage-lounge.de · www.fehmarn24.de · www.leinetal24.de · www.op-online.de · www.wz.de
- [● 5 SOURCES] Ritter Sport lost its initial lawsuit in January at the Stuttgart District Court. courage-lounge.de · www.fehmarn24.de · www.leinetal24.de · www.op-online.de · www.wz.de
- [● 5 SOURCES] Wacker CEO Matteo Wacker stated the square packaging was inspired by the layout of Mannheim's city center. courage-lounge.de · www.fehmarn24.de · www.leinetal24.de · www.op-online.de · www.wz.de
- [● 5 SOURCES] Ritter Sport has filed an appeal against the January ruling. courage-lounge.de · www.fehmarn24.de · www.leinetal24.de · www.op-online.de · www.wz.de