Snyder’s-Lance, Frito-Lay End Pretzel Crisps Dispute

Snyder’s-Lance Inc. has voluntarily dismissed a lawsuit seeking to appeal a decision holding that it could not trademark “Pretzel Crisps” as a name for its product, which Frito-Lay North America Inc. had challenged before the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board. Snyder’s-Lance Inc. v. Frito-Lay N. Am. Inc., No. 21-1758 (4th Cir., filed August 31, 2021). The dismissal concludes years-long litigation disputing whether the “Pretzel Crisps” mark was too generic to be registered. An appeal of a lower court’s ruling that the term is generic had been pending until Snyder’s-Lance’s voluntary dismissal.