3 ms·
It's interesting that the plaintiff brought similar claims for a variety of flavors[1], but the judge threw most of them out, with pistachio being the sole exce
by nimih 2y ago
It's interesting that the plaintiff brought similar claims for a variety of flavors[1], but the judge threw most of them out, with pistachio being the sole exception[2].
[1] TFA: `Duncan also attacks other Cold Stone flavors like mango, coconut, mint, orange and butter pecan, and orange sherbet, claiming they are "merely flavored after their named ingredients."'
[2] See the decision (which is a somewhat interesting read, if you're willing to tolerate puns and general silliness in legal proceedings): https://storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.nyed.490350/ https://storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.nyed.49...
> With respect to these products, plaintiff offers far less support. No mention is made of competitor products. No survey evidence is offered as to these additional offenders with the sole exception of Mint Ice Cream, noted above. And, importantly, perhaps driven by the axiom that begins “fool me once,” there is no suggestion that plaintiff purchased any of the other accused ice creams, and apparently plaintiff had the willpower to resist the allure of the Orange Sorbet—or for that matter any of defendant’s sorbets.
- jfengel 2y agoWell, Judge Brown was certainly in a fine mood that day. It appears as if the plaintiff did examine other ice cream brands and concluded that they do contain pistachios, so consumers have a right to expect that. That at least lets the suit go forward, though it's not clear if it's winnable. There is standard language around this, though, at least when you sell something in packages. If it's only "flavored" you'd have to say "pistachio flavored", or even "pistachio flavored with other natural flavors". Cold Stone really should have a compliance officer who knows that. I don't know how it applies to a restaurant menu, though.