Major Illinois Company Suing Another Major Illinois Company for Being ‘Copycat’

One of America's most popular discount grocery chains is being accused of copying packaging designs and logos from well-known food products.

According to a report from Supermarket News, Aldi has been sued for alleged "copycat products and marketing" of products like cookies and crackers.

Legal Battle Between Two Gigantic Illinois-Based Brands

Aldi has its U.S. headquarters based in Batavia, Illinois, and they are being sued by Chicago-based snack powerhouse Mondelez International, which also has a major factory in Rockford.

READ MORE: Will Illinois Soon Ban Candy, Soda from SNAP Benefits?

According to the federal lawsuit filed on Tuesday (5/27) in a U.S. District Court in Illinois, Mondelez has iconic products like Oreos and Ritz Crackers, and they are accusing Aldi of copying their packaging.

The complaint claims that Aldi copied the design concept to likely "deceive and confuse consumers," and could cause "irreparable harm" to the well-known brands owned by Mondelez International.

Allegations of Imitation and Brand Dilution

Mondelez, the maker of snacks with household names like Nilla Wafers, Chips Ahoy!, Wheat Thins, and Nutter Butter, is arguing that Aldi has gone too far with it's store-brand alternatives.

Get our free mobile app

Images in the lawsuit highlight Aldi's "Original" cookies that have packaging "nearly identical" to Oreos, and claim that Aldi's snacks are being marketed in a way that creates intentional consumer confusion.

According to Supermarket News, the legal filing by Mondelez didn't specify the exact damages they're seeking from Aldi, but did say they have invested "hundreds of millions of dollars in the last five years alone" in advertising of their Oreo brand.