Overview
- The complaint filed May 27 in the Northern District of Illinois alleges Aldi’s packaging for cookies and crackers closely mimics designs of Oreo, Chips Ahoy! and Wheat Thins.
- Mondelez argues the look-alike packaging is “likely to deceive and confuse” consumers and dilute the value of its trade dress.
- The lawsuit says Mondelez previously warned Aldi about copycat items, prompting the grocer to discontinue or change some products before reverting to similar designs.
- Mondelez is requesting a jury trial to determine treble damages, legal fees, punitive awards and an injunction preventing further distribution of the disputed packaging.
- Aldi, which operates over 2,400 U.S. stores and plans to open more than 225 this year, has faced similar packaging lawsuits, including a December Copyright ruling in Australia.