Packaging

Procter & Gamble Reaches Settlement on Patent Infringement Lawsuit

Wednesday 07. January 2009 - The Procter & Gamble Company (NYSE:PG) and Fruit of the Earth have reached a settlement in the lawsuit P&G filed on December 12, 2007 against Fruit of the Earth for trade dress and patent infringement on its Olay Regenerist brands.

The parties have agreed to a Consent Judgment in which Fruit of the Earth recognized the validity of P&G’s rights in the Olay Regenerist Trade Dress and certain of P&G’s patent rights identified in the lawsuit. Fruit of the Earth has also agreed to revise its product offerings. The remaining terms of the agreement were not disclosed.

“P&G is committed to developing and manufacturing branded products that delight consumers and deliver incredible value. We don’t make our Olay formulas or quality available under any store brand. P&G will continue to vigorously protect our proprietary formulas and the trade dress that consumers associate with the brands they trust,” said Steve Jemison, P&G’s chief legal officer.