Beyond Meat faces $38.9 million jury verdict in trademark case

Beyond Meat Inc. (NASDAQ: BYND) was ordered to pay $38.9 million in damages following a jury verdict in a trademark infringement case, according to a company filing.

The jury found Beyond Meat liable for infringing on Sonate Corporation's registered trademark "WHERE GREAT TASTE IS PLANT-BASED" through its use of taglines "Great Taste Plant-Based" and "Plant-Based Great Taste." The November 24 verdict awarded $23.5 million in actual damages and $15.4 million in disgorgement of profits.

The case originated in April 2022 when Sonate filed suit against Beyond Meat and Dunkin' Brands in Florida federal court. Dunkin' settled and was dismissed from the case in November 2024. The case was transferred to Massachusetts federal court in March 2023.

Beyond Meat argued it should not be liable, asserting a fair use defense that its tagline usage was purely descriptive. The jury rejected this defense after a trial that ran from November 10-24, 2025.

The company stated it disagrees with the verdict and intends to seek judicial review and appeal the decision. Beyond Meat's primary general liability insurer has been providing defense coverage under a reservation of rights.

Separately, Beyond Meat faces litigation in Canada where Aliments BVeggie Inc. claims 129.8 million Canadian dollars in damages over an alleged breach of a co-manufacturing agreement. A Quebec appeals court ruled in November 2025 to defer this dispute to arbitration in California.

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