The matter is actually clear: Lidl loses a legal dispute against Vorwerk and has to remove its Thermomix clone from the range. Nevertheless, the discounter continues to offer “Monsieur Cuisine” for sale. Because the devil is in the details.
With the Thermomix, Vorwerk has created a real blockbuster that has sold millions of times. This arouses imitators who want a piece of the pie. One of them is Lidl. The Thermomix clone called “Monsieur Cuisine” is confusingly similar to the original, but costs only a fraction of the price at around 400 euros. Vorwerk went to court against the more or less obvious imitation – and won.
Lidl continues to sell Thermomix clone despite court ruling
The Düsseldorf Higher Regional Court has now ruled in favor of the Wuppertal company (source: Spiegel Online). The judges saw it as proven that the Lidl food processor violated a Vorwerk patent relating to a special heating element. Lidl is allowed to corresponding Monsieur Cuisine with “thick film heating technology” do not sell in Germany.
Anyone who now believes that the kitchen machine duel between Vorwerk and Lidl has ended with the judge’s verdict is wrong. the The discounter continues to offer the Monsieur Cuisine in its online shop. The Thermomix clone with the bulky additional designation “connect trend SKMC 1200 F6” is available there for 399 euros (view at Lidl)
What Lidl’s Thermomix clone can do:
Monsieur Cuisine receives modified heating element
A change in construction makes this possible. Because the new Monsieur Cuisine offers a revised heating element. “With a modified heating element”, it says on the product page of the food processor.
Lidl uses a clever trick. Because the judgment of the Düsseldorf Higher Regional Court only refers to kitchen appliances whose heating elements, according to Spiegel, are “too close to the Thermomix heater”. With a modified heating element, Lidl avoids the verdict – and can continue to offer the Monsieur Cuisine.
Will Vorwerk admit defeat? The family business has announced that it will continue to “take consistent action against patent or trademark infringements” if necessary.