Home / Business and Economy / Oatly's 'Milk' Moniker Banned by UK Supreme Court
Oatly's 'Milk' Moniker Banned by UK Supreme Court
11 Feb
Summary
- Oatly can no longer use or trademark 'Post Milk Generation'.
- UK Supreme Court ruled in favor of Dairy UK's objection.
- Plant-based producers should use alternatives like 'oat drink'.
The UK Supreme Court has issued a unanimous decision prohibiting the plant-based company Oatly from using the term "milk" to market its products. This ruling concludes a long-standing legal battle initiated by the trade association Dairy UK. Oatly is now barred from trademarking or using the slogan "Post Milk Generation."
The court affirmed that regulatory definitions restrict terms like "milk" to products originating from the dairy sector and animals. Oatly had argued that using "milk" within a trademark did not violate regulations if not descriptive, but this argument was ultimately unsuccessful.
This judgment by the UK's highest court carries broader implications for the plant-based alternative industry. Producers are advised to use descriptive terms such as "oat drink" or "plant-based drink." The ruling signals a stringent approach by UK regulators and courts toward brands borrowing names from legally defined product categories.
