Schokolade vs. Haferriegel: Darum kämpft Ritter Sport gegen diesen Quadrat-Haferriegel

A chocolate company, Ritter Sport, is engaged in a legal battle with a rival manufacturer, Wacker from Mannheim, over the use of a square-shaped cereal bar called "Monnemer Quadrat Bio". The dispute is being heard at the Oberlandesgericht Stuttgart starting Thursday, October 10th at 10:30 AM. Ritter Sport lost this case in January at the Landgericht Stuttgart and appealed the decision.

Wacker introduced the cereal bars in November 2024, with packaging inspired by the layout of the city, though smaller than Ritter Sport's 100-gram bar and with longer side tabs. The Mannheim-based firm has been in contact with Ritter Sport outside of court, but a compromise was never reached. In addition to seeking damages, Ritter Sport wants Wacker to stop using the current packaging and recall any already shipped products.

The issue for Ritter Sport is that the square-shaped bar infringes on the brand's trademark protection since 1996. They argue that chocolate and cereal bars are similar products targeted at the same consumer for the same occasion, thus fearing a brand collision. Ritter Sport has previously defended its trademarks in court, such as in a long-standing case against the rival company Milka.

For Wacker, the optimism lies with the judge potentially upholding the Landgericht's decision. "I would expect the court to confirm the Landgericht's decision," said 34-year-old Matteo Wacker. "For us, it's still absurd." The Mannheim family business doesn't understand the lawsuit, as they consider a square shape a basic geometric form not worthy of protection. Wacker produces cereal bars as well, claiming they have nothing to do with Ritter Sport. They argue that a confusion risk does not exist.