Weight management company Weight Watchers International has filed a lawsuit against Nestle, accusing the world’s largest food maker of trademark violations in the US.
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According to the filing, Weight Watchers has accused Nestle of illegally using the Weight Watchers name and ‘points’ system to promote its Skinny Cow low fat ice cream and Stouffer’s Lean Cuisine frozen meals.
Weight Watchers alleged that the use of the trademark, which was displayed on packaging, was an attempt by Nestle to cash in on its reputation with consumers, which has been “painstakingly built” over the company’s 46-year history. The group also suggested that the use of the trademarks could mislead consumers into thinking that Weight Watchers produced or endorsed Nestle’s products.
Weight Watchers said that it is seeking a restitution of “improper” profits, triple damages and punitive damages. The group is also seeking to prevent Nestle from further using its trademarks.
When contacted by just-food, a spokesperson for Weight Watchers declined to put a figure on the total damages the company is seeking or comment beyond the filing.
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By GlobalDataNestle was not available for comment at time of press.
