Guo Ji Jin Rong Bao·2025-10-10 15:52Core Viewpoint - The recent court ruling in favor of Yili against Mengniu highlights ongoing competition and branding issues in the dairy industry, particularly regarding packaging similarities that can confuse consumers [1][8]. Legal Dispute Summary - The Jiangsu Provincial High Court ruled that Mengniu's "Selected Pasture" milk packaging closely resembles Yili's "Jindian" packaging, constituting unfair competition. Mengniu is required to cease the infringing behavior and pay Yili 5 million yuan in damages [1][8]. - Yili requested Mengniu to publish a statement in major newspapers to mitigate the negative impact of the infringement [1]. Packaging Similarity Analysis - The packaging of Yili's "Jindian" and Mengniu's "Selected Pasture" is described as "highly similar," particularly in color scheme and layout, which could lead to consumer confusion [3][4]. - A survey indicated that 82.6% of respondents found the packaging similar, and 83.9% believed there was a connection between the two products [4]. Court Findings - The court determined that the similarity in packaging focuses on the main identifying features and overall visual effect rather than a detailed comparison of each side [6]. - The high recognition of Yili's packaging, combined with the similarities and the potential for consumer confusion, led to the conclusion that Mengniu's actions constituted unfair competition [7][8]. Historical Context of Disputes - This is not the first dispute between Yili and Mengniu over packaging. Previous cases include a 2015 ruling where Mengniu was found to have engaged in unfair competition regarding the "Future Star" yogurt [10][12]. - In 2023, Yili also sued Mengniu's subsidiary for similar reasons, resulting in Mengniu changing its packaging and paying compensation [14]. Market Position and Financial Performance - Yili's revenue for the first half of the year was 61.933 billion yuan, a 3.37% increase, while Mengniu's revenue was 41.567 billion yuan, a 6.95% decline, indicating a widening gap between the two companies [15]. - Yili's diverse business structure, including significant revenue from milk powder and ice cream, contrasts with Mengniu's reliance on liquid milk, which has seen a decline in sales [17][18].