Sweet Pete's LLC agreed to pay $2 million to a California candy company after a federal court found that Sweet Pete's knowingly copied the other company's product names and package designs.
WJCT News partner the Jacksonville Daily Record reports Sugarfina Inc., established in 2012 in Beverly Hills, California, filed a complaint in June 2017 in the U.S. District Court Central District of California claiming it owns a patent on selling candy in clear plastic cubes.
“Among the signature innovations of Sugarfina's branding is its presentation of candy in museum-quality Lucite that emphasizes the artisanal and rarified quality of a gourmet small-portion tasting experience,” the complaint alleged.
In addition, Sugarfina claimed ownership of trademarks that were used by Sweet Pete's, including “Cuna Libre,” a cola-flavored candy.
Also named in the trademark infringement allegation were “Peach Bellini,” “Fruttini,” “Candy Bento Box,” Candy Cube” and “Candy Concierge.”
The complaint also alleged that Sweet Pete's copied Sugarfina's in-store display designs, such as stacking cube-shaped containers of candy on a “candy wall.”
An expanded version of this story is at jaxdailyrecord.com.
