Ketchup Cap Maker Sues Kraft Heinz for Trade-Secret Misappropriation

Kraft Heinz Foods faces a trade-­secret suit alleging it distributed documents containing confidential and proprietary drawings and specifications for plastic caps created by one of its long­-time vendors. AptarGroup, Inc. v. Kraft Heinz Foods Co., No. 17­521 (W.D. Pa., filed April 21, 2017). AptarGroup argues that Kraft distributed engineering and customer drawings providing detailed specifications for its bottle cap and closure designs documents after removing Aptar’s logos and confidentiality warnings. Aptar also asserts that among other disclosures, Kraft released specifications for its “breakthrough” snap-­top cap used for Heinz’ inverted, top­-down ketchup bottles. The complaint alleges that previous disclosures have included only “one or two ornamental designs, with no detailed specifications, and that Aptar notified Kraft of their breach of contract and asked Kraft to demand the return of the confidential information from all recipients. Claiming trade secret misappropriation and breach of contract, Aptar seeks a temporary restraining order, injunctive relief, damages and attorney’s fees.

Issue 632