Moo Free, a family-run vegan chocolate business based in Holsworthy, Devon, is locked in a trademark dispute with Mondelēz International, the owner of Cadbury, over its White Choccy Snowballs product.
Mondelēz claims the name infringes its registered trademarks for Snowball and Snowballs and has reportedly sent a legal letter demanding the products be removed from sale immediately. Moo Free is refusing to back down, insisting no infringement has been established and warning that withdrawing the treats would cause significant financial damage.
The Dispute Over White Choccy Snowballs
The disagreement centres on the name of the vegan confectionery, which consists of gluten-free, biscuit-flavoured rice balls coated in dairy-free white chocolate. Cadbury's Mini Snow Balls are made from Dairy Milk chocolate covered in a crisp white icing-sugar shell.
The established Cadbury product dates back to 1966, while the words "Snowball" and "Snowballs" have been registered as trademarks for chocolate products since 2001. Mondelēz has not launched legal proceedings against Moo Free, but says it contacted the company to make it aware of its trademark rights.
Moo Free's Response
Moo Free co-founder Mike Jessop said the company was sad and disappointed to find itself facing potential legal action from the group. He said: "We're sad and disappointed to share that Moo Free is also potentially facing legal action from Kraft Foods."
"Just as Kraft alleges that Catherine's O'bar infringes its Toblerone trademark rights, Kraft alleges that our White Choccy Snowballs product infringes trademark rights associated with Cadbury Snow Balls. Kraft also alleges that we are taking advantage of the reputation associated with the Cadbury product and potentially causing confusion in the minds of shoppers."
Jessop said the demand to remove the product from sale would be particularly damaging for a business of Moo Free's size. He added: "In addition to these claims, Kraft has also requested that we remove our product from sale immediately. Aside from the operational and practical challenges this would bring, doing so would cause significant financial damage to a family-run business of our size."
Seeking an Amicable Resolution
Mondelēz has indicated it remains open to an amicable resolution, as reported by Absolutely Business. A spokesperson from Mondelēz International said: "Cadbury Snowballs are one of our most popular Christmas products, enjoyed by households across the UK. No legal action has been taken, but we have been in touch with Moo Free to make them aware of our trademark."
"We are open to reaching an amicable resolution." No court proceedings have been filed in the Snowballs dispute.
