Swiss food giant Nestlé is to remove the phrase ‘Skillet Sensations’ from its frozen ready meals range after a year-long trademark battle with Applebee’s restaurant chain.

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Nestlé spokeswoman Roz O’Hearn said the company’s Stouffer’s subsidiary would rename the meals ‘Stouffer’s Skillets’ and ‘Lean Cuisine Skillets’ in spring 2005, reported The Associated Press.


The two companies filed a joint motion last week to dismiss the case after reaching an agreement, details of which remain confidential.


Applebee’s filed a lawsuit against Nestlé in October 2003, claiming the company’s use of ‘Skillet Sensations’ on its ready meals would confuse consumers with Skillet Sensations meals sold in Applebee’s outlets.


The US Trademark Trial and Appeal Board ruled in favour of Applebee’s because the restaurant chain had begun using the name first, but could not prevent Nestlé from using the name.

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