There is a David and Goliath chocolate battle brewing, and I know whose side I’m on!
Mondelēz, the multinational company behind Toblerone, is taking legal action against independent British vegan chocolate business Catherine’s Originals over the shape of its popular O’bar.
Read more below.
Mondelēz claims the chunky chocolate design infringes its trademark and amounts to passing off. Catherine’s Originals strongly disputes the allegations and says it will defend the identity and product it has worked so hard to create. Check out the story over on The Guardian.
Catherine’s Originals was founded by Catherine Dodd in 2021 and has grown into an independent chocolate business making its products in Sussex. The O’bar has distinctive rounded segments reflecting the O in Originals. Now this small business finds itself facing a legal challenge from a global chocolate giant with considerably deeper pockets. Whatever the eventual outcome, the prospect of lengthy legal proceedings and mounting costs must be frightening for an independent business.
I always want to see independent vegan businesses thrive. They bring creativity, personality, and something different to a food industry dominated by enormous corporations. They also need our support, particularly when facing challenges that could threaten their future.
Catherine’s Originals has launched a special Battle Bundle for people asking how they can help. Priced at £50, it includes one Catherine’s Originals Selection Box and three O’bars in flavours of your choice, with shipping included. Importantly, £7.50 from every bundle sold goes directly into the company’s legal fighting fund to help defend the O’bar.
This isn’t a discounted bundle. Catherine’s Originals is asking customers to pay the full £50 because every penny counts when trying to meet legal costs. You get some brilliant vegan chocolate to enjoy or share, while helping an independent business stand up for itself.
If you love independent vegan chocolate and want to show Catherine’s Originals that the community is behind them, please consider buying a Battle Bundle.
You can buy the Battle Bundle directly from the Catherine’s Originals online shop: The Battle Bundle: Back O’bar.
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