Stax too much like Pringles, P&G says

Drug Store News, Nov 27, 2000

CINCINNATI, Ohio -- Procter & Gamble is suing Frito-Lay on the grounds that Frito-Lay's recipe for its new Stax potato chips--which have been test-marketed in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, but are not yet available nationally--infringes upon the Pringles patent. The suit alleges that Stax are made from similar ingredients, and are shaped and packaged like Pringles--stacked in vertical canisters.

Meanwhile, P&G is reportedly taking aim at the pre-packed chip-and-dip business Frito-Lay helped to create with the late 1999 launch of Frito Chili and Frito Sloppy Joe Scoops. According to an Advertising Age report, P&G has test-marketed a new single-serve canister of Pringles packaged with a serving of dip--Pringles Zip Dip. P&G officials were unable to comment on the report.