Nestlé foiled by Cadbury as it loses bid to trademark KitKat bar
The ruling is the latest in a long running legal battle between the Swiss-based company and its rival Cadbury
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.KitKat-maker Nestlé has been foiled again, after a UK Court of Appeal ruled that the consumer goods giant cannot trademark the shape of its popular four-fingered chocolate bar.
The ruling is the latest in a long running legal battle between the Swiss-based company and its rival Cadbury. Nestlé argues that the KitKat’s shape is “iconic” and should be protected by law but Cadbury objects.
On Wednesday, the Court of Appeal ruled in favour of Cadbury, dismissing the claim.
Despite the setback, Nestlé hinted that it could now take its claim to a higher court.
In a statement the company said: “Nestlé is disappointed by the court of appeal judgment and is considering next steps.
“KitKat is much loved around the world and its four-finger shape is well known by consumers. Nestlé’s four-finger shape has been granted trademark registration in many countries of the world, for instance Germany, France, Australia, South Africa and Canada, further protecting it from imitations.”
A spokesperson for Cadbury's owner, Mondelez, said the company was “pleased” with the decision.
"As we have previously stated, we do not believe the shape of the KitKat bar should be protected as a trademark in the UK," the spokesperson said.
Tania Clark, partner and trade mark attorney at intellectual property firm, Withers & Rogers said the ruling means rival manufacturers could start making and selling products that look similar, with a reduced risk of litigation.
“This case highlights the difficulties that often accompany attempts to obtain commercial protection for the shape of a product. To secure trade mark protection, it would be necessary to prove that the shape of a product alone is enough to denote a brand in the mind of the consumer,” she said.
In December, an EU court dismissed Nestlé's attempt to register the KitKat shape.
The General Court in Luxembourg ruled against Nestlé, arguing it was not enough for the firm "to show that a significant proportion of the relevant public throughout the EU, merging all the member states and regions, perceives a mark as an indication of the commercial origin of the goods designated by the mark,"
A decade-long dispute between Nestlé and Cadbury began when the latter sought to trademark the colour purple for its brand. Nestlé succeeded in overturning that trademark in 2013.
Sally Britton, Intellectual Property lawyer at Mishcon de Reya said the court's decision sets a “high bar” for the registration of shape marks.
“This case is interesting as it examines the type of use and consumer recognition required to obtain monopoly protection over a shape mark. Businesses seeking to protect non-traditional trademarks such as shapes or packaging will need to provide evidence that consumers are relying on that trade mark to identify the origin of the product,” she said
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments