OSLO, Oct. 2 (Xinhua) -- Norwegian soda producer O. Mathisen AS removed its drink "Jallasprite" from the shop shelves after the Coca-Cola Company had threatened to sue them for stealing the brand name, broadcaster TV2 reported on Tuesday.
The Coca-Cola Company -- which owns the drinks "Coca-Cola", "Sprite" and "Fanta" -- had required all bottles that are labeled "Jallasprite" to be removed from the stores and all labels and marketing materials destroyed.
"I have answered their lawyers. We comply to their wishes," Jarle Hollerud, CEO of O. Mathisen AS, told TV 2. "It seems natural that they want to protect their brand."
Hollerud's "Jallasprite" is based on lemon, water and sugar and is the sequel to the popular Toyen Cola that was produced by the same company.
"We have sent a proposal on JallaJallaxxxxxx, but it was not well received by The Coca Cola's lawyers. What we end up with is still unclear," he said, explaining that the six xs will replace each letter in the word "sprite".
The Coca-Cola Company welcomes all competition, but this must be done in accordance with the regulations in Norway, Frida Keane, a press contact in the Coca-Cola Company, told TV2.
"SPRITE is one of our most important brands, and consumers worldwide connect the name with our product, not lemon soda in general," she said.
The Norwegian Patent Office had ruled that the possibility of confusion between "Sprite" and "Jallasprite" is high, but the decision can be appealed.
