Toblerone’s iconic triangular chocolate bars have been instantly recognisable for decades, but a new legal battle has put another chocolate brand in the spotlight. Mondelēz International, the company that owns Toblerone, has sued a British vegan chocolate brand, Catherine’s Originals, alleging that one of its products resembles the Swiss chocolate brand’s distinctive shape. Here’s all you need to know about this.
Why Is Toblerone Suing Catherine’s Originals?
According to Hindustan Times, the dispute centres on Catherine’s Originals’ O’bar, a chunky chocolate bar divided into rounded, curved segments. Mondelēz has accused the company of trademark infringement and ‘passing off’, claiming the product’s design is too similar to Toblerone’s famous shape.
However, Catherine’s Originals founder Catherine Dodd is not backing down. Responding to the legal action, she has accused the chocolate giant of bullying a smaller business, saying, “No one likes a bully.”
Toblerone, known for its connected triangular chocolate segments resembling mountain peaks, is owned by American multinational food company Mondelēz International, which also owns popular brands such as Cadbury, Oreo and Milka.
The company has now taken legal action against Catherine’s Originals over its O’bar range. Unlike Toblerone’s pointed triangular pieces, the British brand’s vegan chocolate bars feature a series of rounded, semi-oval segments.
Mondelēz has argued that Toblerone’s distinctive shape is one of the most recognised product designs in the world and has been a hallmark of the brand since 1929.
In a statement, the company said it takes its trademarks and intellectual property seriously. It also claimed that it had tried to resolve the matter directly with Catherine’s Originals over several months but the two sides could not reach an agreement.
The case has been filed at the High Court in London, where Mondelēz has accused the smaller brand of trademark infringement and passing off.
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Here’s What Catherine’s Originals Founder Has To Say
Catherine Dodd, who founded Catherine’s Originals in 2021 when she was still a teenager, has strongly disagreed with the allegations. It is a British vegan chocolate brand based in Walberton, Sussex; the company makes and sells its chocolates through local markets, online orders and subscriptions.
In a post on the company’s website titled ‘No one likes a bully’, published on October 26, Dodd revealed that her business was facing a legal claim from Kraft Foods Schweiz Holding GmbH, which is part of the Mondelēz group behind Toblerone.
She said the company does not agree with the allegations of trademark infringement, passing off or misleading consumers into believing that O’bar is commercially associated with Toblerone.
Catherine also maintained that her brand has no commercial affiliation with either Toblerone or Mondelēz and is prepared to defend its product and identity.
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For now, the allegations are yet to be tested in court, and the case will determine whether Catherine’s Originals’ O’bar infringes on Toblerone’s trademark rights.
Cover Image Courtesy: website/amazon & website/catherinesoriginals
FAQs
Who owns Toblerone?
Toblerone is owned by Mondelēz International, an American multinational food company that also owns brands such as Cadbury, Oreo and Milka.
Why is Toblerone suing a British chocolate brand?
Mondelēz International has filed a lawsuit against British vegan chocolate brand Catherine’s Originals, alleging that its O’bar design infringes on Toblerone's trademark and resembles its iconic triangular chocolate shape.
What is Catherine’s Originals?
Catherine’s Originals is a British vegan chocolate brand founded by Catherine Dodd in 2021. It sells a range of chocolates, including its chunky O’bar range.
