Del Monte Foods

A federal judge on Thursday awarded Fresh Del Monte Produce Inc a permanent injunction in its long-running licensing dispute with Del Monte Foods Co, the canned produce and pet food company that spun it off in 1989.U.S. District Judge Sidney Stein in Manhattan awarded Fresh Del Monte much of the relief it requested, after a federal jury last April 6 ordered Del Monte Foods to pay the fresh fruit and vegetable company $13.15 million of damages.A growing number of consumers have in recent years been seeking out fresh fruit products, amid increasing awareness of the importance of maintaining a healthy diet.In a 2008 lawsuit, Fresh Del Monte claimed it had an exclusive right to sell fresh fruits and vegetables under the Del Monte name.The Coral Gables, Florida-based company also accused Del Monte Foods of infringing its trademark by selling preserved fruit in plastic cups, and misleading consumers into believing that the fruit was fresh.In awarding damages, the jury found that San Francisc...

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