Danone filed a lawsuit this week against dairy rival Chobani over the look and slogan of the latter’s cold brew coffee brand.
Danone, according to Reuters, accused Chobani of infringing on its trademarks in the filing in Manhattan federal court. The complaint contended that Chobani’s La Colombe coffee comes in “strikingly similar” yellow-and-black packaging compared to that of the French company’s Stok brand.
Danone also took issue with the “Bright & Flavorful” slogan that it said was added to La Colombe labels following its 2023 acquisition by Chobani. The filing argued that it mirrored the "Bright & Mellow" slogan that Danone added in 2021 to, attorneys said, differentiate Stok coffee from the Starbucks brand.
The similarities, the filing argued, would cause "severe and irreparable harm” to Danone, and the filing reportedly seeks a court injunction halting the sale of allegedly confusing products, as well as triple damages and lost profits.
Reuters reported that the lawsuit is the latest of at least three involving the companies, which are primarily known for their yogurt offerings, over the past decade.
Chobani did not provide a response to the filing in the article.
