Aldi is once again in hot water with Marks & Spencer, which has launched legal action against the German retailer for "copying" its popular light-up Christmas gin bottles. Marks & Spencer is reportedly taking Aldi to court, accusing it of copying its gin bottle, which it brands as "The Infusionist".
Aldi is said to have registered its design in early 2021, with versions available in clementine and blackberry flavours, priced at £6 less than the £20 price at Marks and Spencer. The bottles are said to be similar in shape, with lights at the bottom and golden glitter suspended in the drink.
M&S is represented by intellectual property law firm Stobbs. The company's legal filing said Aldi's drinks "constitute a design that would not create an overall impression on an informed user that differs from [Marks and Spencer's] designs" and that someone looking to buy a bottle "may not notice The difference between the two drinks "two products [from Aldi and Marks & Spencer]".
M&S hopes the end result will be for Aldi to destroy its drinks stock, pay damages and costs and stop infringing on its designs.
The brand said in a statement: "Our customers have confidence in our products because they trust our quality and sourcing standards, so we remain committed to protecting our reputation for freshness, quality, innovation and value. , and protect our customers from apparent counterfeiting.”
Aldi has rejected a request to stop selling the products, The Independent reports. This is not the first time Marks & Spencer and Aldi have fallen out over a copycat scandal. Earlier this year, M&S took intellectual property action to the High Court, claiming Aldi's Cuthbert Caterpillar cake was too similar to its famous Colin's Caterpillar cake.
The caterpillar war was reignited recently when Aldi's Christmas advert showed a frustrated Cuthbert being captured in the background. The budget supermarket also poked fun at M&S on social media using the hashtag #FreeCuthbert.
