Mondelēz International said it has taken no legal action against vegan chocolatier Moo Free after a letter alleging trademark infringement over seasonal snowballs, The Guardian reported.
The newspaper said the letter sought removal of Moo Free’s White Choccy Snowballs from sale. It reported that the request came shortly before the Christmas trading period.
A Mondelēz spokesperson told The Guardian the company had alerted Moo Free to its trademark. The spokesperson said no legal action had been taken and Mondelēz was open to an amicable resolution. The response did not confirm the reported removal request.
The Guardian reported that Moo Free told customers it rejected the claim, saying it did not accept that infringement had been established.
Moo Free describes its Christmas sweets as rice-based bites with a biscuit flavor and dairy-free white chocolate on the outside. Cadbury says its Mini Snow Balls combine Dairy Milk chocolate, a crisp sugar shell and an icing sugar dusting; the product’s listed ingredients include milk.
The timing places the dispute close to a key sales season for both companies’ products. Moo Free markets its Snowballs for Christmas, and Mondelēz described Cadbury Snow Balls as one of its popular Christmas products, The Guardian reported.
The Guardian has also reported a separate Mondelēz allegation in a London case involving vegan chocolate maker Catherine’s Originals. The Guardian said Mondelēz claims O’bar’s segmented shape violates Toblerone trademark rights and constitutes passing off. EconoTimes previously covered the London case over the vegan bar’s shape.
