Jury Rejects Michigan Man's Heinz Ketchup Packet Patent Suit
PITTSBURGH (KDKA/AP) - A federal court jury in Pittsburgh has rejected a Michigan man's claims that a condiment package he patented in 1997 led H.J. Heinz Co. to develop its Dip & Squeeze ketchup packets in February 2010.
Wednesday's verdict in favor of Heinz means there won't be a second trial to determine how much money Heinz owes David Wawrzynski.
The Detroit-area man sued claiming the "Little Dipper" package he invented led Heinz to develop its unique, dual function package.
A lid can be peeled from the Dip & Squeeze so food can be dipped into the ketchup, or the end can be torn off so the ketchup can be squeezed onto the food.
A Heinz spokesman says the company is pleased and "believed all along that Mr. Wawrzynski's claims were groundless."
The statement from the Heinz spokesman reads in full:
"Heinz firmly believed all along that Mr. Wawrzynski's claims were groundless, and we are pleased to have prevailed in this case. Heinz's history of product and packaging innovations dates back to our founder, H.J. Heinz, and continues today as a cornerstone of the Company."
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