Ireland's Court of Appeals has ruled in favour of Aldi, in a case relating to a marketing campaign by rival chain Dunnes Stores, which the discounter said infringed its trademark.
The Court upheld the original High court decision that advertising banners Dunnes Stores had been using for the purposes of comparative advertising 'did not comply with the law and infringed Aldi’s trademark', a statement by the retailer said.
The Court of Appeal did, however, allow part of the Dunnes Stores appeal in relation to specific product comparisons, which the High Court had originally found were unlawful.
In a statement, Aldi said that it 'took the case against Dunnes Stores only after receiving no response to formal complaints made to Dunnes about this campaign and other campaigns over a two-year period. It did so to protect its trademark, its reputation for providing outstanding value and also in the interest of consumers. Aldi believes that taking the case was instrumental in the ending of the unlawful behaviour by Dunnes Stores'.
Commenting on the ruling, Aldi group buying director Finbar McCarthy said, "Customers must have confidence that the advertising they are exposed to is clear and lawful. Today’s ruling further cements that protection for customers and for retailers like Aldi.”
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