Hershey Co. has filed a complaint in Pennsylvania federal court alleging that LLB Imports infringes its trademarks and trade dress for several of its products, including Reese’s, York, Cadbury, Malteser, Kit Kat, and Rolo. Hershey Co. v. LLB Imports LLC, No. 14-1655 (M.D. Penn., filed August 25, 2014). According to the complaint, LLB Imports has been selling Toffee Crisp, Yorkie, Maltesers, Cadbury, Kit Kat, and Rolo products manufactured outside of the United States bearing nutritional information panels required by other countries, and the sale of the products allegedly infringes trademarks and trade dress owned by or exclusively licensed to Hershey. In addition to several trademark infringement claims, the candy company alleges that Toffee Crisp infringes the trade dress for Reese’s, citing its shade of orange and outlined yellow script, as well as the trade dress of Cadbury, Kit Kat and Rolo. Hershey asks for an injunction, a declaration that LLB violated the Lanham Act as well as Pennsylvania trademark dilution and business injury laws, an order directing LLB to begin a corrective advertising campaign, the recall and destruction of any infringing materials, damages, and attorney’s fees.

 

Issue 536

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For decades, manufacturers, distributors and retailers at every link in the food chain have come to Shook, Hardy & Bacon to partner with a legal team that understands the issues they face in today's evolving food production industry. Shook attorneys work with some of the world's largest food, beverage and agribusiness companies to establish preventative measures, conduct internal audits, develop public relations strategies, and advance tort reform initiatives.

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