Judge Rules Against Del Monte on Pet Treats

A U.S. judge ruled that Del Monte Foods Co.’s Pounce Purr-fections, Snausages Scooby Snack Stuffers and Nature’s Recipe treats infringed a Mars Inc. patent for pet treats with soft centers.

U.S. District Judge R. Gary Klausner in Los Angeles granted Mars’ motion for summary judgment on the patent infringement claim. He ordered the case to proceed to jury trial next month to determine damages.

Mars sued in 2001 seeking unspecified damages and to block sales of H.J. Heinz Co.’s pet food with soft centers surrounded by hard, cereal-based shells. San Francisco-based Del Monte was brought into the case when it bought the North American pet food division from Heinz in 2002.