财联社·2025-10-17 00:58Core Viewpoint - The recent legal dispute between two major domestic dairy companies, Yili and Mengniu, regarding unfair competition has been resolved, with the court ruling in favor of Yili and ordering Mengniu to cease its unfair practices and compensate Yili 5 million yuan for economic losses and reasonable expenses [2][7]. Summary by Sections Background of the Dispute - Yili's "Jindian" pure milk product, launched in 2006, has become a well-known brand with cumulative sales reaching hundreds of billions yuan and a market share of approximately 10% in the liquid milk sector by the end of 2023 [2]. - Mengniu's "Selected Pasture" milk, introduced at the end of 2023, raised concerns for Yili due to similarities in packaging design, including color schemes and layout [2][3]. Court Proceedings - Yili filed a lawsuit after unsuccessful negotiations, seeking 20 million yuan in damages and a public statement to eliminate the impact of the alleged infringement [3]. - The court proceedings focused on the likelihood of confusion and the similarity of packaging between the two products, with evidence showing that 82.6% of surveyed individuals found the packaging similar [4]. Arguments from Both Companies - Mengniu argued that the design elements used are common in the dairy industry and that their packaging has distinct features, claiming that the "Selected Pasture" brand has established market recognition [5]. - The court found that Yili's packaging has significant influence and distinctiveness, and the similarities in design could lead to consumer confusion [6]. Court's Ruling - The Nanjing Intermediate Court ruled that Mengniu's packaging closely resembled Yili's, leading to a judgment that Mengniu must pay 5 million yuan to Yili [7]. - The Jiangsu High Court upheld the lower court's decision, emphasizing that the overall visual effect and design style of the two products were sufficiently similar to cause confusion among consumers [11]. Legal Standards and Considerations - The Jiangsu High Court clarified that while common elements exist in the dairy industry, the specific expression and arrangement of these elements in Yili's packaging provide it with distinctiveness [9]. - The court also highlighted the importance of considering both actual confusion and the potential for confusion when evaluating the case [10].