French dairy giant Danone has said that it will take Irish dairy producer Glanbia to court over an alleged trademark infringement.

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Ganbia launched the probiotic shot-sized yoghurt drink Yoplait Essence, which is manufactured under licence from Yoplait, last month. Danone contends that it has trademarked the use of the word ‘essence’ in yoghurt and dairy drinks, referring to the Bifidus Essensis yoghurt drink that it marketed in Ireland until 2004.


Geraldine Karney, Glandia spokesperson, said: “Legal proceedings have been started by our competitor Danone who claim that we have infringed a trademark. We are contesting this.”


“We will continue to produce the Essence range while the case goes through commercial court and sales are going well,” Karney added.

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