This is an interesting piece to read. Who would ever have known that the little Chocolate Bunnies wrapped in gold foil was such a literal gold mine to chocolatiers, and that famous brands would be juggling the topic in the courts of Europe? Hope you enjoy this article. I had to post it for it's a very good example of the amazing World of Chocolate.Legal Limbo for Chocolate Bunnies:Posted June 12 2009, 11:22 AM by Catherine Holahan - Click HERE for link.
"Can you trademark a chocolate bunny? Swiss chocolate maker Lindt & Sprüngli thinks so. The confectioner is a bit bitter about rival chocolatiers producing their own chocolate bunnies wrapped in foil. It says that it owns the rights to cocoa bunnies covered in gold foil and is pursuing its case in Europe's highest courts.
Recently, chocolate bunnies have become something of a legal hot potato. Lindt's case revolves around whether companies can trademark a three-dimensional shape and not just a logo. As a result, a ruling in Lindt's favor could have legal ramifications for all manner of businesses...(See article link above)
Rival confectioner Franz Hauswirth is arguing that the trademark that Lindt received for the chocolate bunny back in 2001 was sought in bad faith. After all, chocolatiers have been manufacturing bunnies wrapped in foil for more than 50 years. The chocolate bunny in foil has become a secular symbol of the Easter season.
Still, Lindt argues that it's responsible for that symbol. Thus, it should be the only chocolatier to dress its bunny up in a gold foil wrapper, with or without a ribbon around its neck.
The little gold wrapped bunny is something of a gold mine for confectioners. Lindt sold $44 million worth in Germany alone last year, according to the Journal. In the United States, Easter is the second biggest season for chocolatiers after Christmas. The heart-shaped box of chocolates, apparently, has nothing on the killer-combo of chocolate bunnies and candied Easter eggs.
Where do chocolate bunnies come from?
Another question central to Lindt's case is where chocolate bunnies originated from. If Lindt can prove its company was first to manufacture the shape, it will have a stronger case. But that could be difficult. Some say the chocolate bunny can trace its roots back to medieval Europe, stemming from German legends about magical rabbits that laid colored eggs in the spring for children.
A Pennsylvania company, Bortz Chocolate, began making chocolate rabbits in 1934, according to a 1989 NY Times article. Instead of sitting on their haunches, waiting expectantly to be eaten, their bunnies played accordions and drove cars. Bortz did, however, manufacture a "classic" bunny in foil as well."
Next time you see a chocolate bunny, you might look at it differently from now on.
Have a magical day,
Donna
