On May 3, candy giant Mars Wrigley issued a lawsuit against Ukiah, California-based Terphogz, the company behind cannabis-infused candy Zkittlez, for trademark infringement. In a lawsuit, Mars Wrigley alleges that Terphogz had “simply helped itself” to the company’s registered “Taste the Rainbow” slogan including the stylized “S” found on Skittles candy. The industry is divided on where it stands regarding brands of this nature.
David Downs reported for Leafly that Mars Wrigley Confectionary is the largest gum maker on the planet—completing $33 billion in annual sales in 2015. Wrigley alleges that Terphogz illegally marketed the brand Zkittlez and petitioned an Illinois court to issue a cease-and-desist order Terphogz for the Zkittlez brand, destroy all merchandise, surrender their website and pay attorneys fees.
“Terphogz’s Zkittlez marks are substantially identical in sight, sound, meaning and commercial impression to Wrigley’s Skittles marks. Terphogz uses the same distinctive red color featured on the packages of Skittles candy and the same colors of Skittles candy in connection with advertising, selling and distributing its Zkittlez goods,” the lawsuit reads, as reported by Marketing Interactive.
Read more at dopemagazine.com