The J.M. Smucker Co. is suing Trader Joes, alleging the grocery chain's new frozen peanut butter and jelly sandwiches are too similar to Smuckers Uncrustables in their design and packaging.
In the lawsuit, which was filed Monday in federal court in Ohio, Smucker said the round, crustless sandwiches Trader Joe's sells have the same pie-like crimp markings on their edges that Uncrustables do. Smucker said the design violates its trademarks.
Smucker also asserted that the boxes Trader Joes PB&J sandwiches come in violate the Orrville, Ohio-based company's trademarks because they are the same blue color it uses for the lettering on Uncrustables packages.
Trader Joes boxes also show a sandwich with a bite mark taken out of it, which is similar to the Uncrustables design, Smucker said.
Smuck