{
  "id": 4715776,
  "title": "Judge says Smucker’s lawsuit against Trader Joe’s over frozen sandwiches can proceed.",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/31/judge-says-smuckers-lawsuit-against-trader-joes-over-frozen",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-08-31T21:23:02.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Associated Press",
    "slug": "associated-press",
    "url": "https://apnews.com/article/smucker-trader-joes-uncrustables-sandwiches-lawsuit-peanut-butter-f9f8c119b3bec81f023100c788c0d925"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "A federal judge has allowed J.M. Smucker to continue its lawsuit against Trader Joe's regarding frozen sandwiches similar to Smucker's Uncrustables, according to court documents. Smucker filed a trademark infringement lawsuit in federal court in Ohio last fall, claiming Trader Joe's committed a violation when it introduced frozen peanut butter and jelly sandwiches with a round shape and crimped edges identical to Uncrustables. Trader Joe's countered that its sandwiches are shaped like \"squircles\" with rounded edges and not round, while Smucker argued that its current packaging, introduced in 2024, is not recognizable enough for a federal trademark dilution claim. Despite Trader Joe's request to move the case to California, District Judge John Adams ruled that Smucker had invested substantially in developing Uncrustables and protecting the brand over the past two decades, and that customers associate the design trademarks with the Smucker brand.",
  "summary": "A federal judge has ruled that J.M. Smucker can proceed with a lawsuit against Trader Joe’s over frozen sandwiches that Smucker claims are too similar to its Uncrustables. Smucker sued Trader Joe’s in federal court in Ohio last fall, claiming Trader…",
  "key_points": [
    "J.M. Smucker's lawsuit against Trader Joe's continues in federal court.",
    "Trader Joe's argues its sandwiches are \"squircles\" with rounded edges.",
    "Judge John Adams rules Smucker's brand is recognizable despite packaging change."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Winnipeg Free Press",
        "title": "Judge says Smucker’s lawsuit against Trader Joe’s over frozen sandwiches can proceed.",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/31/judge-says-smuckers-lawsuit-against-trader-joes-over-frozen-4716836",
        "published": "2026-08-31T21:12:41.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}