SAN DIEGO – Troutman Pepper Locke secured a federal jury verdict of $38.9 million for Sonate Corporation, doing business as Vegadelphia Foods (Vegadelphia), in a trademark infringement case involving Beyond Meat, Inc. (Beyond Meat). The case centered on Beyond Meat’s widespread use of a virtually identical slogan, “Great Taste, Plant-Based,” across tens of thousands of retailers, with two years of advertisements totaling more than $12 million.
Vegadelphia contended that Beyond Meat’s use of “Great Taste, Plant-Based” willfully infringed its trademarked slogan, “Where Great Taste Is Plant-Based.” The company argued that this infringement disrupted an expansion with two industry titans that was “on the tarmac” and ready to launch, when it was sidelined from the overwhelming deluge of Beyond Meat’s ads and promotions built around the infringing slogan.
After seven days of testimony in the U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts, the jury awarded $23.5 million in actual damages and $15.4 million in disgorged profits, exceeding the $36.75 million Vegadelphia sought at trial.
The case, Sonate Corp. v. Beyond Meat, Inc., remains subject to post-trial motions and potential appeal.
The Troutman Pepper Locke team was led by partner Ben Wagner, along with Gwen Tawresey, Andrew Tseng, Danni Shanel, Jacob Burr, Durrell Adams, Laura Verdecchia, Meghan LeMay, Travis Wheeler, Stephen McVey, Lauren Carey, and Emma Mann.
Troutman Pepper Locke’s Intellectual Property Practice develops and implements global protection and commercialization strategies for clients with intellectual property assets in virtually all industry areas. The firm’s forward-thinking, proactive strategies help clients mitigate risk while maximizing protection and value. With resources around the world, including an office in London, its team of attorneys, patent agents, and other professionals offer comprehensive advice on the development, acquisition, management, and monetization of intellectual property.
About Troutman Pepper Locke
Troutman Pepper Locke helps clients solve complex legal challenges and achieve their business goals in an ever-changing global economy. With more than 1,600 attorneys in 30+ offices, the firm serves clients in all major industry sectors, with particular depth in energy, financial services, health care and life sciences, insurance and reinsurance, private equity, and real estate. Learn more at troutman.com.