Ireland’s Yoplait Ireland Ltd secured a High Court injunction against Nutricia Ireland Ltd, part of France-based Danone, over alleged brand imitation involving Skyr yogurt packaging. The legal dispute reflects the intense competition in the yogurt market and the importance of visual branding
Yoplait Ireland Ltd, the Irish subsidiary of the global yogurt brand Yoplait, has obtained a High Court injunction against Nutricia Ireland Ltd, part of the France-based multinational food company Danone, over allegations of brand imitation in the Skyr yogurt category.
The case centers around Danone’s intended launch of its “Skyr Icelandic Style” yogurt, which Yoplait claims mimics its own product’s packaging—particularly in its use of “sheer blueness” and a white background. Yoplait argues that these similarities could mislead Irish consumers into believing both products come from the same source, especially given the prominence of packaging in brand identification within the dairy market.
Yoplait, which entered the Irish Skyr yogurt segment in 2022, contends that Danone’s product constitutes “passing off”—a legal term used when one brand is accused of misrepresenting its goods as those of another. The case was brought before Mr. Justice Max Barrett, who granted the injunction on the basis of potential brand confusion.
Nutricia, Danone’s Irish arm, countered by saying there was no definitive consumer confusion and that the resemblance was insufficient to warrant legal action. However, the court sided with Yoplait’s claims to protect the existing market identity until a final ruling is made.
The dispute emphasizes the growing intensity in the yogurt sector, particularly around Skyr, a high-protein, low-fat dairy product originally from Iceland. With packaging often acting as a primary differentiator, legal battles over design and visual branding are increasingly shaping market dynamics.
The final outcome of the case could set a precedent in Irish and possibly EU food branding practices, where visual elements play a key role in consumer decision-making.
