Mars Wrigley, maker of brands such as Skittles ®, M&M'S®, SNICKERS®, ORBIT®, EXTRA®, has won a lawsuit against cannabis producers who used proprietary brands in the names of their adult-use products. We reported on the popular candy giant's lawsuit against cannabis manufacturers last May. A few days ago, the case was ruled in favor of Mars Wrigley. Here's more information.
Mars Wrigley, maker of Skittles candy among others, wins case against cannabis producers
We wrote about the lawsuit brought by manufacturing giant Mars Wrigley in May T U T A J. We reported then that:
"Manufacturers of high-end cannabis and cannabis seeds have for some time been fond of naming their products after world-famous and well-liked sweets or other food products. Perhaps the most famous example is a marijuana strain called "Zkittlez." It is a strain that, with its sweet and fruity aroma, evokes the very candy 'Skittles' (the original name begins and ends with the letter 's', while in the case of cannabis it is the letter 'z')."
But this is not the only case of unauthorized use of the candy's name. On the market in the US, there are not so much flowers as "Skittles" candies, which at first glance are no different from the original. Only that they contain up to 800 mg of THC per package.
On August 12 this year, federal Judge Patrick Gleeson ruled that three manufacturers and distributors of cannabis sold under names referring to the popular candy" are to deliver and destroy all infringing products and packaging," as well as pay liquidated damages for unauthorized use of a trademark belonging to Mars Wrigley.
The judge ruling on the case added:
"I also believe that advertising and selling a potentially dangerous product using appropriated trademarks that are clearly attractive to children is a clear departure from the usual standards of decent behavior that deserves condemnation and deterrence."
You can find the entire judgment in T U T A J.
Mars giant Wrigley filed the lawsuit in May 2021. , claiming that illegal sellers are infringing Mars Wrigley's legally registered trademarks
"Mars Wrigley strongly condemns the use of popular candy brands in the marketing and sale of THC-containing products, which is grossly deceptive and irresponsible," they announced in a May 2021 press release, adding:
"The use of Mars Wrigley brands in this way is unauthorized, inappropriate and must be stopped, especially to protect children from mistakenly consuming these illegal THC products."
