Business · Companies · 16 hrs ago
Toblerone owner sues British vegan chocolate brand over bar shape
Mondelēz has sued Catherine’s Originals in London over the shape of its O’bar chocolate bar.
The company says the bar copies Toblerone’s distinctive segmented shape and accuses the British brand of trademark infringement and passing off.
Catherine’s Originals was founded in 2021 by Catherine Dodd and makes its bars in Walberton, Sussex.
Dodd says the bar’s rounded segments reflect the O in the brand’s name, and the company rejects the allegations.
Mondelēz says Toblerone’s shape has been a hallmark of the brand since 1929 and that it tried to resolve the dispute directly.
The case matters because the court will consider whether the O’bar infringes Toblerone’s rights.
Catherine’s Originals says it is working with its legal team to defend its position, and the dispute will proceed through the legal process.
Mondelēz, owner of Toblerone, has filed a lawsuit in London against British vegan chocolate brand Catherine’s Originals over the shape of its O’bar.
The company alleges the bar copies Toblerone’s distinctive shape and infringes its trademark.
Catherine Dodd, founder of Catherine’s Originals, says the brand disagrees with the claim and will defend its position.
Mondelēz says it tried to resolve the dispute directly over several months but could not reach an agreement.
- Who
- Mondelēz, owner of Toblerone, and British vegan chocolate brand Catherine’s Originals.
- What
- Mondelēz has sued over the shape of Catherine’s Originals’ O’bar, alleging passing off and trademark infringement.
- When
- The lawsuit was reported on October 29, 2026. The sources do not state when it was filed.
- Where
- The High Court in London.
- Why
- Mondelēz says the O’bar copies Toblerone’s protected shape. Catherine’s Originals says its bar has its own design and identity.
Mondelēz
Catherine’s Originals
Shape and intellectual property
Mondelēz
Mondelēz says Toblerone’s shape is a distinctive design and that it has a responsibility to protect its trademarks and intellectual property.
Catherine’s Originals
Catherine’s Originals says the O’bar has its own distinctive design and identity, reflecting an O for Originals.
Legal claim
Mondelēz
Mondelēz alleges passing off and trademark infringement.
Catherine’s Originals
Catherine’s Originals disagrees with the claim and says it is working with its legal team to defend its position.
Poundland delayed the launch of its Twin Peaks bar after a legal warning from Mondelēz.
Catherine Dodd founded Catherine’s Originals.
Mondelēz says it tried to resolve the matter directly with Catherine’s Originals but could not reach an agreement.
Reports said Mondelēz had filed papers at the High Court in London over the O’bar’s shape.
- Company bringing the lawsuit
- Mondelēz, owner of Toblerone
- Brand being sued
- Catherine’s Originals
- Product at issue
- O’bar
- Court
- High Court in London
- O’bar weight and price
- 200g; £9.20 for milk or plain, up to £10.55 for some flavours
- Standard Toblerone price
- £2.50
3 sources
What people are saying
We stand firmly behind the product and identity we’ve created
The iconic Toblerone shape is one of the most recognised and distinctive product designs in the UK and across the world, and has been a hallmark of the brand since 1929.
Our client disagrees with the claim and considers O’bar to have its own distinctive design and identity.