A federal jury in Massachusetts has awarded $38.9 million to Sonate Corp.’s Vegadelphia Foods after finding Beyond Meat Inc. guilty of trademark infringement.
Vegadelphia said Beyond Meat’s slogan, “Great Taste, Plant-Based,” was nearly identical to its trademarked slogan, “Where Great Taste is Plant-Based.” The company sought $36.75 million, saying it was unable to launch an expansion because of Beyond Meat’s use of the slogan in advertising and promotions.
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The jury awarded $23.5 million in actual damages and $15.4 million in disgorged profits, exceeding the amount Vegadelphia had sought. Beyond Meat used the slogan in Dunkin’ Donuts ads and across tens of thousands of retailers, with more than $12 million spent on advertising over two years, the court heard.
“Vegadelphia couldn’t be more grateful that the jury understood the long road and severe damage Beyond Meat inflicted upon one of their competitors,” said Ben Wagner, an attorney for Sonate with Troutman Pepper Locke LLP.
The verdict could be appealed.
