m&m Brand Melts In Hands Of Swedish Judge

Stockholm, Sweden: A Swedish court has barred Mars from selling its candy-covered chocolates under the lower-case "m&m" name in the country, judging it resembled a local brand too closely.

If Mars does not appeal the ruling to Supreme Court it will only be able to sell its candies in Sweden only as "M&M" from July.

In a ruling handed down earlier this month, the Stockholm Court of Appeals granted exclusive right to use a lower case letter m to Swedish brand Marabou for its "m" chocolate covered almonds and peanuts.

The Marabou brand belongs to US snacks giant Mondalez, maker of Oreo cookies and Toblerone chocolate.

Mars refused to give in just yet, sticking to lower case for its candy in a statement, although it did not say whether it will appeal the ruling.

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"We have always believed no confusion exists between the colorful m&m's brand - one of the world's favorite chocolate products - and the Marabou M Peanut Brand," said Mars.

"Given the court's decision we will assess the next steps for our beloved brand in Sweden," it added.

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Mars, which also makes Bounty and Snickers barks, had until 2009 respected an agreement to not compete against Marabou in its home market where it had been selling its "m" candies since 1957.