Mars Wrigley launches trademark battles against multiple marijuana businesses
Mars Wrigley has targeted multiple companies in both the United States and Canada, filing lawsuits the company says are “intended to stop the illegal and dangerous misuse of its world-famous trademarks in the marketing and sale of THC-infused edibles, which closely resemble Mars Wrigley’s genuine products such as SKITTLES® and STARBURST®.”
The complaint names defendants including the owners of 2020ediblez.com, ie420supply.com, and oc420collection.com, among others.
Mars Wrigley does not manufacture, and has no licensing agreements with any companies producing, products containing THC.
In a statement, the company said, “Mars Wrigley strongly condemns the use of popular candy brands in the marketing and sale of THC products, which is grossly deceptive and irresponsible. The use of Mars Wrigley’s brands in this manner is unauthorized, inappropriate and must cease, especially to protect children from mistakenly ingesting these unlawful THC products.”
Mars Wrigley also filed additional lawsuits in U.S. federal courts Illinois and California against Terphogz, the company sells a marijuana strain and related products under the name Zkittlez, and other businesses carrying Zkittlez products
The filing seeks to halt the sale of all Zkittlez goods, accessories, clothing, and merchandise, and asks for the transfer of websites and social media to Mars Wrigley.
The case filing cites the packaging and presentation as bearing an extreme likeness to the registered trademark brand owned by Mars Wrigley. “Terphogz’s Zkittlez Marks are substantially identical in sight, sound, meaning, and commercial impression to Wrigley’s Skittles Marks,” the filing states.
In a release, the company said, “Mars Wrigley’s legal actions in the U.S. and Canada are a testament to its commitment to stop the distribution of these harmful THC products.”