Panrico, one of Spain’s largest bakery firms, has won two lawsuits related to the ownership of its ‘Donuts’ trademark.
Barcelona-based Panrico said a European court struck down a claim by rival House of Donuts International, which wanted to use the ‘Donuts’ label for its doughnut products.
A Spanish court also ordered another Panrico competitor, Europastry, to remove the ‘doughnuts’ term from its products because they were “similar and causes confusion with Panrico’s ‘Donut,’ ‘Donuts’ and ‘Doughnuts’ trademarks”, Panrico said.
Europastry will have to pay damages to Panrico, the company added.
Apax Partners-owned Panrico has sold the ‘Donuts’ brand of chocolate and sugar doughnuts for 40 years in Spain and the label is one of the country’s best-known bakery brands.
“It is our obligation to our customers and consumers to defend out brands,” Panrico’s chief executive Joan Cornudella said, adding that duplicates would undermine the company’s ability to invest in its products.
