Beyond Meat ordered to pay $15.4M in trademark infringement case

Beyond Meat, Inc. (NASDAQ: BYND) received a court judgment of $15,437,500 on September 18, 2026, following a trademark infringement lawsuit brought by Sonate Corporation, doing business as Vegadelphia Foods.

The case, filed in the United States District Court for the Middle District of Florida, Orlando Division in April 2022, centered on Sonate's claim that Beyond Meat and Dunkin' Brands Group, Inc. used taglines that infringed on Sonate's registered trademark "WHERE GREAT TASTE IS PLANT-BASED®." Sonate alleged Beyond Meat's use of "Great Taste Plant-Based" and "Plant-Based Great Taste" created a likelihood of confusion with its trademark.

A jury trial that ran from November 10 to November 24, 2025, found Beyond Meat liable for trademark infringement and rejected the company's fair use defense. The jury initially awarded $23.5 million in actual damages and $15.4 million in disgorgement of Beyond Meat's profits.

Following post-trial motions from both parties, the court significantly reduced the actual damages award from $23.5 million to $37,500, while upholding the $15.4 million disgorgement amount. The court denied Sonate's requests for prejudgment interest and an increased disgorgement award.

The final judgment totals $15,437,500, comprised of $37,500 in actual damages and $15.4 million in profit disgorgement. According to a statement based on the company's SEC filing, either party may pursue further motions or appeals related to the judgment.

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