Impossible Foods sues startup Motif Foodworks over meatless burger patent
[BENGALURU] Meatless burger maker Impossible Foods sued competitor Motif Foodworks on Wednesday, accusing the startup of copying its technology for imitating the taste of real meat.
The lawsuit filed in Delaware federal court said Motif, a spinoff of biotech company Ginkgo Bioworks, infringes an Impossible Foods patent by using the protein molecule heme in its plant-based beef.
A Motif spokesperson called the lawsuit "nothing more than a baseless attempt by Impossible Foods to stifle competition" and said it would fight the claims.
Boston-based Motif announced last year that it had raised US$226 million in its second round of investment financing.
Wednesday's lawsuit said heme is a "central component of meat's appeal," and Impossible incorporates the protein in its plant-based burger to replicate meat's taste, smell and "overall sensory experience."
The lawsuit said Motif's use of an ingredient it calls "Hemami" in its imitation burgers infringes an Impossible Foods patent covering a "beef replica" product that also uses heme.
GET BT IN YOUR INBOX DAILY
Start and end each day with the latest news stories and analyses delivered straight to your inbox.
Impossible Foods asked for an undisclosed amount of money damages and a court order blocking Motif's sales of the allegedly infringing burger.
An Impossible Foods spokesperson said the company welcomes competition but does "not tolerate attempts to undermine our brand or products" through infringement. REUTERS
KEYWORDS IN THIS ARTICLE
BT is now on Telegram!
For daily updates on weekdays and specially selected content for the weekend. Subscribe to t.me/BizTimes
Startups
Cruise operator Viking prices IPO within range to raise US$1.54 billion: source
Ninja Van axes more than 20 employees in tech team in Singapore
Temasek-backed PsiQuantum to build first commercial quantum computer
Fast-fashion giant Shein wants to sell skincare, toothpaste and toys, too
GoTo narrows Q1 loss to 420 billion rupiah with TikTok deal, cost cuts
Health-tech startup Thrixen bags US$7 million from 22Health Ventures, Aldevron co-founder