Chocolate giant Cadbury challenges vegan brand over ‘snowball’ name

Mondelez registered a trademark for the use of “Snowball” and “Snowballs” in chocolate confectionery in 2001. A spokesperson for Mondelez stated that Cadbury Snowballs are a popular Christmas product and that they have contacted Moo Free to inform them of the trademark, expressing a desire for an amicable resolution.

Moo Free, which sells its products in major supermarkets and online, has been offering its Snowballs for approximately two years. According to the company, Mondelez requested the immediate removal of the product just before Christmas.

Mike Jessop, co-founder of Moo Free, established in 2010, claimed he was unaware of Cadbury Snow Balls due to a lactose intolerance. He questioned the validity of trademarking a generic term like “snowball,” drawing a comparison to Cadbury’s Freddo bar.

Moo Free communicated with its customers, stating they take intellectual property concerns seriously but dispute any infringement. They also expressed solidarity with Catherine’s Originals, another vegan company facing legal action from Mondelez.

This isn’t the first time Mondelez has pursued legal action against a smaller vegan business. Earlier this month, they filed papers at the High Court in London accusing Catherine’s Originals of trademark infringement regarding their O’bar. Catherine Dodd, founder of Catherine’s Originals, established in 2021, expressed concern over the impact on her small business and refuted the claims made against her brand.