// M&S is taking sweetmaker Swizzels to court as it claims its Pig Mugs sweets are “highly similar” to its infamous Percy Pigs
// The retailer claims that confused customers could end up buying the wrong porcine treat
M&S is heading to court as it accuses sweetmaker Swizzels from copying its infamous Percy Pig sweets.
The retailer believes Swizzels’ Pigs Mugs treats are “highly similar” to Percy and say that confused customers could buy the wrong ones.
The Sun reported that M&S is seeking damages and an injunction against Swizzels, according to court papers. The retailer also demands that sweets that breach any court order be destroyed.
M&S told the newspaper: “It is important to protect the registered trademarks.”
The retailer is no stranger to taking legal action to protect some of its iconic food products.
Last year, it started legal action against Aldi over its Cuthbert the Caterpillar cake, which it claimed was similar infringed its trademark for its famous Colin the Caterpillar.
The pair settled earlier this year in a “confidential agreement”.
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Court documents filed by M&S show that Percy Pigs have generated £131.7m in turnover since their launch in 1993.
The retailer claims that 271 bags of the porcine sweets are sold each minute.
Lawyers even submitted a photo of a customer who had a Percy Pig tattoo as evidence of its cult following, the newspaper reported.
Refreshers and Drumsticks sweetmaker Swizzels has been selling its Pigs Mugs since 1996.
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