Trademark Tussle: Big Spoon Roasters Sues California Chili Crisp Co.

Trademark Tussle: Big Spoon Roasters Sues California Chili Crisp Co.

Nut Butter Co. Sues Small Business Over Similar Name, Claiming Consumer Confusion and Irreparable Injury

Big Spoon Roasters, a North Carolina-based nut butter company, files a lawsuit against Big Spoon Sauce Co., a California-based chili crisp company, alleging trademark infringement. According to the complaint, Big Spoon Sauce Co.'s use of a similar name is likely to cause consumer confusion and dilute the distinctiveness of Big Spoon Roasters' trademark.

The lawsuit claims that despite Big Spoon Roasters having a registered trademark since 2012, Big Spoon Sauce Co. willfully infringed on the mark by adopting a similar name for its chili crisp products. Big Spoon Roasters is seeking damages, injunctive relief, and destruction of all infringing materials.

Big Spoon Sauce Co.'s owners argue that their products are distinct and do not compete directly with nut butters, making the lawsuit potentially unfounded. The case will determine whether Big Spoon Sauce Co. must rebrand or pay damages for trademark infringement.