Cupcake Battle Underway in Utah
Mini’s Cupcakes, Inc. has sued LuAnn’s Cupcakes, Inc. in a federal court in Utah, claiming the infringement of trade dress rights by LuAnn’s sale of cupcakes substantially the same in appearance as Mini’s gourmet “Breakfast at Tiffany’s” cupcake. Mini’s Cupcakes, Inc. v. LuAnn’s Cupcakes, Inc., No. 10-457 (D. Utah, filed May 14, 2010). The distinctive design allegedly features “vanilla cake, blue cream cheese frosting and silver and white gems.
According to Mini’s, LuAnn’s “Tiffany Jewel” cupcakes are so similar that the “ordinary observer” will be confused about the origin of LuAnn’s product. The plaintiff alleges trade dress infringement, unfair competition, false designation of origin, passing off, and false advertising under federal law; common law unfair competition, misappropriation, and trade dress infringement under state law; and vicarious trade dress infringement against a supermarket that distributes the alleged infringing cupcakes. Mini’s seeks injunctive relief, an accounting of profits, compensatory damages, attorney’s fees, and costs.
