Design

Procter & Gamble (P&G) is taking legal action in the US against Kraft Foods, the manufacturer of Maxwell House coffee, for allegedly infringing patents for its Folgers Coffee range.

The company has filed a claim in a US Federal District Court in San Francisco against the plastic container recently launched by Maxwell House coffee across the US.

Folgers introduced its own plastic coffee container with an easy-to-use handle in 2003.

P&G chief legal officer Jim Johnson said: "We made large investments to overcome the technical challenges in making a lightweight container that can withstand the pressure changes that occur between the factory and the home.

"Many innovations in this container are P&G patents, which we believe Maxwell House has infringed. We must protect our intellectual property."

P&G hopes to stop Kraft Foods from selling the new pack and is seeking damages from the company.

Renee Zahery, senior director of corporate affairs at Kraft Foods, said: "We have not had the chance to review the lawsuit fully so I can't provide any details. I can tell you that Kraft respects valid patent rights of others and abides by all US patent laws."