Why is Milka Prohibited from Producing “Square” Chocolate in Germany?

On one side is the Swiss giant Milka, on the other side is another German giant brand… 13 years ago swords drawn and the “square chocolate wars” that would last for 10 years began. During this process, which extended to the German Federal Court of Justice, different decisions were made, but at the end of the conflict, there was a winner.

The sides of this interesting war, the history of the square chocolate, the process of the case and What happened with the final decision Let’s see together.

“I want to produce a chocolate of normal weight and long enough to fit into a pocket without breaking.”

Long-established German chocolate brand Ritter Sport differed from others by producing square chocolates instead of rectangular ones, unlike other chocolate brands. In fact, this divergence was at such a point that square-shaped chocolates were introduced in 1993. They patented it.

In 1932, when Clara Ritte, the owner of the Ritter Sport company, wanted to produce a chocolate of normal weight and length that could fit into our pockets without breaking, chocolates in the form of Ritter Sport emerged. Their slogans in the 1970s were “Square, practical, beautiful.” meaning “Quadratisch, praktisch, gut.” happened.

In 2010, Milka filed a lawsuit against Ritter Sport by producing square chocolate.

Another well-established chocolate brand, Milka, objected to the patent in 2016 and a war with Ritter Sport began that would continue for years. Court, Swiss chocolate giant He ruled in Milka’s favor.

However, the court did not end there; the next year, Ritter Sport objected to the decision and the case was concluded with Ritter Sport being found right. Do you think the process ends here? No! Milka, this war To the German Federal Court of Justice carried it.

The Court put an end to the 10-year conflict.

In 2020, the German Federal Court of Justice; Square chocolate is perceived by consumers as an indication of its origin and quality He said it was accepted as

Like this Ritter Sport holds the patent for producing square chocolate. and ended the case against Milka.

It is currently on German shelves as square shaped chocolate. we can only see Ritter Sport. In other countries, there is no such obligation.

The validity of a patent obtained in a country is only in that country. In order for a patent to be applied in different countries, the required separately in each country It is necessary to apply for patents. Countries that are parties to international agreements such as the Patent Cooperation Agreement or the European Patent Convention can apply to more than one country at the same time.

So if Ritter Sport, also for other countries If he had applied for a patent and received the patent for square-shaped chocolate, we would no longer be able to see square Ülker chocolate on the market shelves!