Introduction to the Lawsuit
Snack food maker Mondelez International is suing the Aldi supermarket chain, alleging the packaging for Aldi’s store-brand cookies and crackers “blatantly copies” Mondelez products like Chips Ahoy, Wheat Thins and Oreos.
Details of the Lawsuit
In a federal lawsuit filed Tuesday in Illinois, Chicago-based Mondelez said Aldi’s packaging was “likely to deceive and confuse customers” and threatened to irreparably harm Mondelez and its brands. The company is seeking monetary damages and a court order that would stop Aldi from selling products that infringe on its trademarks.
Response from Aldi
A message seeking comment was left Thursday with Aldi.
Comparison of Packaging
In the lawsuit, Mondelez displayed side-by-side photos of multiple products. Aldi’s Thin Wheat crackers, for example, come in a gold box very similar to Mondelez’s Wheat Thins.
This combo of images shows, Mondelez’s Wheat Thins, left, and, Aldi’s Thin Wheat, Thursday, May 29, 2025, in Glenview, Ill. (AP Photos/Nam Y. Huh)
Similarities in Packaging
Aldi’s chocolate sandwich cookies and Oreos both have blue packaging. The supermarket’s Golden Round crackers and Mondelez’s Ritz crackers are packaged in red boxes.
This combo of images shows, top row from left, Mondelez’s products Nutter Butter, Chips Ahoy! and Oreo cookies; bottom row from left, shows Aldi’s products, Peanut Butter Creme, Chocolate Chip Cookies and Original Chocolate Sandwich Cookies with Vanilla Filing, Thursday, May 29, 2025, in Glenview, Ill. (AP Photos/Nam Y. Huh)
Business Model of Aldi
Aldi, a German discount chain with U.S. headquarters in Batavia, Illinois, keeps prices low by primarily selling products under its own labels.
Previous Lawsuits Against Aldi
The chain has faced lawsuits over its packaging before.
Last year, an Australian court found that Aldi infringed on the copyright of Baby Bellies snack puffs for young children. In that case, Aldi’s packaging featured a cartoon owl and similar colors to the name-brand packaging.
Earlier this year, a U.K. appeals court ruled in favor of Thatchers, a cider company, which sued Aldi over design similarities in the packaging of its lemon cider.
Mondelez’s Previous Actions
Mondelez said in its lawsuit that the company had contacted Aldi on numerous occasions about “confusingly similar packaging.” Mondelez said Aldi discontinued or changed the packaging on some items but continued to sell others.
The lawsuit also alleges that Aldi infringed on Mondalez’s trade dress rights for the packaging of Nutter Butter and Nilla Wafers cookies, and its Premium cracker brand.
Conclusion
The lawsuit filed by Mondelez International against Aldi is a significant development in the ongoing debate over packaging similarities and trademark infringement. As the case progresses, it will be interesting to see how the court rules on the matter and what implications this may have for the packaging practices of Aldi and other discount retailers.
FAQs
Q: What is the basis of the lawsuit filed by Mondelez International against Aldi?
A: The lawsuit alleges that Aldi’s packaging for its store-brand cookies and crackers is too similar to Mondelez’s products, such as Chips Ahoy, Wheat Thins, and Oreos, and is likely to confuse customers.
Q: Has Aldi faced similar lawsuits in the past?
A: Yes, Aldi has faced lawsuits over its packaging before, including a case in Australia where it was found to have infringed on the copyright of Baby Bellies snack puffs, and a case in the U.K. where it was ruled to have infringed on the design rights of Thatchers cider.
Q: What is Mondelez seeking in the lawsuit?
A: Mondelez is seeking monetary damages and a court order that would stop Aldi from selling products that infringe on its trademarks.
Q: How does Aldi’s business model contribute to the issue of packaging similarities?
A: Aldi’s business model of keeping prices low by primarily selling products under its own labels may lead to packaging similarities with name-brand products, as seen in the case of Mondelez.
