- Clarification: Lindt is based in Switzerland and the court ruling only applies to Lidl Switzerland. The chocolate rabbits can still be sold by Lidl GB in the UK.
A judge ordered the discount supermarket chain to destroy its remaining stock of foil-wrapped chocolate bunnies and Lindt deserves protection from copycat products.
Surveys submitted to the court by Lindt showed Lindt's Easter bunny was well known to the public, adding the two products were likely to be confused even though there were some differences between them.
It overturned a Swiss commercial court's ruling against Lindt and in favour of two Swiss units of Lidl last year. "Destruction is proportionate, especially as it does not necessarily mean that the chocolate as such would have to be destroyed," it said in a summary of its verdict.
The Swiss premium chocolate maker has fought numerous court battles over the years to protect one of its best-selling products, including last year when Germany’s federal court ruled the gold tone of Lindt’s foil-wrapped bunny had trademark protection.