Ritter Sport appeals trademark infringement case against Wacker Oat Bar, rather than Wacker Oat Bar against Ritter Sport

Chocolate manufacturer Ritter Sport is facing the Oberlandesgericht Stuttgart in a trademark dispute over the square-shaped Monnemer Quadrat Bio oat bar produced by the Mannheim-based firm Wacker GmbH, horizont.net reported. The court case, which follows an earlier ruling by the Landgericht Stuttgart in January 2025, moves to the Stuttgart regional appeals court on Thursday.

The Packaging Dispute at the Oberlandesgericht Stuttgart

The legal battle pits the 30-person family business from Mannheim against the major chocolate maker from Waldenbuch. Wacker launched the organic oat bar in November 2024, utilizing packaging inspired by the grid-like layout of Mannheim’s downtown area. Ritter Sport argues that the square shape, blank neutral layout registerable with the German Patent and Trade Office, and characteristic side flaps infringe upon its trademarked square chocolate packaging protected since 1996.

Ritter Sport contends that chocolate and muesli bars constitute similar goods consumed by the same target audience on the same occasions, creating a risk of market confusion. Alongside financial damages, the Waldenbuch manufacturer demands that Wacker halt the use of the packaging and recall already distributed merchandise. Matteo Wacker, the 34-year-old managing director of the Mannheim company, defended the product design against the legal challenge.

Ich würde erwarten, dass das Gericht die Entscheidung vom Landgericht bestätigt, natürlich. Für uns ist es nach wie vor absurd.

Matteo Wacker

Previous Rulings and Temporary Product Changes

The Landgericht Stuttgart ruled in favor of Wacker in January 2025, dismissing the lawsuit. Presiding Judge Thomas Kochendörfer stated during the initial verdict delivery that the court found no trademark violations. Ritter Sport subsequently filed an appeal against that decision. Outside the courtroom, settlement talks failed after the parties could not reach a compromise on packaging modifications.

Court Hearing Scheduled to Examine Appeal

The Oberlandesgericht Stuttgart has scheduled a single hearing day for Thursday to examine the appeal. The court has not specified when it will issue its final verdict in the proceedings, and the legal battle could eventually reach the Federal Court of Justice in a subsequent instance.