Hershey Drops Trademark Suit Against Rival Mars

A federal lawsuit filed by The Hershey Co. against rival candy company Mars. Inc. has been dropped.

Hershey’s trademark-infringement suit filed in the fall had alleged that new packaging for Mars’ line of Dove candies too closely mimicked the orange, brown and yellow packaging of Hershey products including Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups.

McLean, Virginia-based Mars filed a concurrent suit in federal court in Virginia seeking a ruling that it had not infringed on Hershey’s trademark.

The Patriot-News of Harrisburg reported Tuesday that attorneys for the two companies had filed joint dismissal stipulations.

Attorneys referred questions to officials of both companies, who did not immediately respond to calls seeking comment.

Hershey, based in central Pennsylvania, is America’s largest maker of chocolate candies. Mars is second.