Hershey’s launches chocolate war on Britain
By:   //  News Briefs

by James O’Connor

Chocolate giant Hershey’s is seeking to ban the importing of some British candy to the United States, including the authentic British Cadbury Crème.

Hershey’s filed a trademark infringement suit in a Pennsylvania court against LBB Imports, which brings British candy to the U.S., claiming that the imports too closely resemble candies produced by Hershey’s.

The 50 page filing claims that the orange wrappers on British Toffee Crisp candies are too similar to wrappers on Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups potentially confusing shoppers. England’s Yorkie chocolate bars should also be banned, because they are too similar in name to Hershey’s York Peppermint Patties, even though they have different packaging and a different shape, the lawsuit says. Hershey’s filing includes pictures of some of the closely resembled packaging, including the caramel-filled Rolo chocolate candy.

Hershey’s also holds an exclusive right to produce some other British candies, such as Cadbury Creme Eggs, and package them under the same name as the originals, the lawsuit states.

Most Cadbury eggs sold in American stores are Hershey’s, however, British specialty stores often carry the imports. The recipes used to make both are different.

LBB had already agreed to stop importing British Cadbury products as a result of the lawsuit.

 

Image: Flickr/Amanda Jaeger

 

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