Illustration of the Lidl sign.
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Vadim Pacajev / SIPA
Considering that it violated the Spanish patent of the Thermomix robot of the German company Vorwek, the Monsieur Cuisine Connect robot from Lidl, sold under the Silvercrest brand, must be withdrawn from the market, the Barcelona commercial court has ruled, reports the daily. Spanish El Pais
,
this Wednesday.
The Monsieur Cuisine Connect robot from Lidl, a huge commercial success for the brand in Spain and the rest of Europe, sells for 359 euros, against 1,299 euros for the model signed Thermomix.
A copy "which reproduces each of the characteristics"
In their decision, the Spanish judges considered that Lidl was largely inspired by the Thermomix to manufacture its Monsieur Cuisine Connect robot, arguing that it was a copy "which reproduces each of the characteristics".
And the sentence is heavy.
Lidl will have to pay the German company Vorwek 10% of the sales of Monsieur Cuisine Connect.
But that's not all.
The court also asks Lidl Spain to withdraw its robot from its supermarkets and now prohibits it from importing, storing, offering or marketing it.
A decision that does not apply in France
According to several Spanish media, Lidl could appeal, arguing that the Thermomix robot was already largely drawing its own inspiration from its predecessors.
On the other hand, the Spanish court decision does not apply in France, informed the sign to our colleagues from
the Independent
: “This court decision is specific to the Spanish courts and does not apply in France.
Only Lidl Spain is concerned by this file ”.
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