// M&S has reached a settlement with confectionery firm Swizzels, which it accused of imitating its popular Percy Pig sweets
// Derbyshire-based Swizzels has agreed to change the design of its Pigs Mugs sweets as a result
M&S has reached a settlement with the confectionery company Swizzels after accusing it of copying its Percy Pig sweets.
The high-street retailer said it had reached an “amicable resolution” with the business after it agreed to change the design of its Pigs Mugs sweets.
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A 37-page document filed at the High Court in London in November said the Percy Pig brand had generated a £131.7 million turnover since its launch in 1993 and currently 271 bags were sold a minute.
In their legal submission, an example was used of a customer who loved the sweets so much they had a tattoo of Percy’s face.
A spokesperson for M&S stated: “Marks & Spencer Plc and Swizzels Matlow Limited confirm that they have agreed to settle on confidential terms the trademark dispute concerning the appearance of Swizzels Matlow’s ‘Pigs Mugs’ sweets and have reached an amicable resolution whereby Swizzels has agreed to change the design of its product.”
The spokesperson added: “M&S has a proud history as a leading innovator and for almost 140 years customers have turned to M&S for unique, original, quality products – conceived, created and developed alongside trusted suppliers and produced to the highest standards,” the spokesperson added.
“M&S has made a significant investment in building a strong Percy Pig brand over the past 30 years and believe it is important to protect the registered trademarks relating to Percy Pig’s appearance.”
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