Wednesday 19 December 2012

Gummy bear beats up Lindt bear in German court!


"It is a case of mistaken identity that has been occupying some of the finest legal brains in Europe. In the dock was an innocent looking chocolate teddy bear in a gold jacket which always turned up in court wearing a ribbon with a little heart charm round its neck and a big smile."
"Looking on was a pack of gummy bears – less than 2cm tall and all wearing the same blank expression."
"In the autumn German confectioner Haribo launched legal action accusing Swiss chocolatier Lindt & Sprüngli of copying its trademark on the Gold Bear name after it launched the gold foil-wrapped Lindt Teddy. Haribo, which invented gummy bears almost a century ago, said the two products would confuse shoppers – even though one is a jelly sweet and the other chocolate." (http://www.guardian.co.uk: Gummy bear wins court battle).

Had a proper chuckle at this article which popped up in the news feed (above), on my blog. The writer has done a good job of creating the image of an innocent and sweetly smiling Lindt bear being accused by a "pack" of Gummy bears on their home turf.
Its not quite Apple v. Samsung (and the rest of the Android horde), but goes some way to illustrate that companies in all sectors will seek to protect themselves from so called imitators although, in this case, I have to admit to not ever having confused, or connected the Lindt gold foil wrapped chocolate bear with Gummy bears.
Still, must be an emotive subject for someone at Haribo!
Related article:
- http://www.guardian.co.uk: Gummy bear wins court battle

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