When it comes to the world of pre-packaged PB&J sandwiches, imitation might not be the sincerest form of flattery. Smucker’s, the company behind the beloved Uncrustables brand, is taking legal action against Trader Joe’s, alleging that their new frozen sandwiches are a little too similar to their iconic product.

In a lawsuit filed in federal court in Ohio, Smucker’s claims that Trader Joe’s sandwiches infringe on their intellectual property. The key points of contention? The round, crustless sandwiches sport the same pie-like crimp markings on their edges, and the packaging uses a suspiciously familiar blue color scheme.

Trader Joe’s isn’t the first company to catch Smucker’s legal eye. In 2022, they sent a cease and desist letter to a Minnesota company called Gallant Tiger for making similar crustless PB&J sandwiches. But this time, they’re taking a more aggressive approach.

The lawsuit reveals the significant investment Smucker’s has made in developing the Uncrustables brand. Over the past 20 years, they’ve reportedly spent more than $1 billion perfecting the product, experimenting with bread textures and creating new filling flavors like chocolate and hazelnut.

Legal experts suggest that trademark cases like this often come down to whether the copycat product might confuse consumers. Smucker’s is even pointing to social media posts where people mistakenly believe Trader Joe’s sandwiches are actually made by Smucker’s.

Interestingly, this isn’t an isolated incident in the world of consumer goods. Just months ago, Mondelez International filed a similar lawsuit against Aldi for allegedly copying the packaging of brands like Chips Ahoy and Oreos.

While the legal outcome remains uncertain, one thing is clear: in the competitive world of packaged foods, protecting brand identity is serious business. Smucker’s is seeking not just financial compensation, but also wants Trader Joe’s to destroy all similar products and packaging.

As the case unfolds, sandwich lovers will be watching to see whether Trader Joe’s can successfully defend its product or if Smucker’s will emerge victorious in this legal battle over the humble PB&J.