Tag: Minnesota
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SPAM® Maker Sues Prem Maker for Trademark and Trade Dress Infringement
Hormel Foods, LLC has filed a complaint in a Minnesota federal court against a company that also makes a canned meat product, alleging that the company is infringing Hormel’s SPAM® trademark, which consists of yellow lettering on a blue background. Hormel Foods, LLC v. Zwanenberg Food Group (USA), Inc., No. __ (D. Minn., filed March…
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Apple Growers in Minnesota Challenge Restrictive Licensing Agreement
A number of Minnesota-based apple growers have filed a complaint against the regents of the University of Minnesota and others claiming that exclusive and limited licensing agreements pertaining to the cultivation and sale of a new apple variety violate federal and state competition and restraint of trade laws. Aamodt Apple Farm, Inc. v. Regents, U.…
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Cheese Maker Seeks to Recover Losses for Foul-Tasting Product
A Minnesota company that produces cheese has filed a complaint in federal court against an ingredients and flavorings company, alleging that it supplied a flavoring ingredient with phenolic compounds that “caused the cheese in which it was used to have a taste repugnant to certain of the customers who consumed the cheese.” Bongards’ Creameries v. Kerry…
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Cargill Admits Its Ground Beef Caused E. Coli Infection in Minnesota Dance Instructor
Cargill, Inc. has reportedly responded to a $100 million lawsuit by admitting that a beef patty it manufactured contained E. coli and caused plaintiff Stephanie Smith’s debilitating injuries. While not contesting strict liability, the company is denying that it was negligent. Its suppliers apparently certified that the product had been tested for E. coli and…
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Claims for Neurological Illness Against Pork Processor Dismissed
A federal inspector who alleged that he was injured after coming into contact with an air compression machine used to harvest pig brains in a pork processing plant has apparently agreed to dismiss his claims. Kinney v. Hormel Foods & Quality Pork Processors, No. __ (Third Jud. Dist., Minn., claimed filed January 2009). Dale Kinney,…