Impossible Foods Is Suing For Alleged Copyright Infringement
A plant-based food producer is in trouble with Impossible Foods for allegedly infringing on their copyrights.
This article is more than 2 years old
In recent years, the plant-based and alternative meat industries have been growing exponentially. Impossible Foods and Beyond Meat have largely led the way and inspired other companies to develop their own products in their stead. One startup has now even found a way to “grow” meat in a lab. However, plant-based meat pioneer Impossible Foods believes that one company has crossed a line. According to CNBC, Impossible Foods is suing beef-alternative producer Motif FoodWorks for alleged copyright infringement.
The lawsuit alleges that the ingredients in and process by which Motif FoodWorks develops meat alternatives too closely resemble the unique innovations outlined in Impossible Foods’ patent. Specifically, the lawsuit cites a problem with the bovine myoglobin found in the heme that Motif FoodWorks uses to craft pseudo beef. The company asserted that the faux beef archetype and the way it is formed was an overt violation of their existing copyright.
Delving into the chemistry, Impossible Foods believes that Motif FoodWorks’ specific violation comes from the fact that their crafted protein contains heme that is comprised of sugar-based and sulfur-based compounds. The company makes its products using chemistry-laden processes and their patent safeguards against other companies harnessing their original innovation. The chemical properties found within bovine myoglobin in the heme that Motif FoodWorks uses is where the logistics of the issue therein lie. Impossible Foods asserted that while they celebrate companies who have a similar mission to theirs, they “…do not tolerate attempts to undermine our brand or products…” by means of copyright infringement.
In response, Motif FoodWorks fired back at the accusations being brought against them. A spokesperson for Motif communicated that the company feels that Impossible Foods’ allegations are “baseless” and that they intend to vehemently challenge what they are being accused of. Motif took it a step further and even insinuated that Impossible Foods’ maneuver falls in line with anti-completive practices.
The outcome of the lawsuit is still something that remains to be seen, but, should Motif FoodWorks be found guilty of the copyright infringement it could pose significant hurdles for the company in the future. Since the company’s launch in 2019, they have been able to build up a net worth equaling $1.23 billion and have secured hundreds of millions in funding for their efforts from high-profile investors. However, their initial success could be heavily impacted and investor confidence severely shaken should the court ultimately rule in favor of Impossible Foods.
Meanwhile, Impossible Foods has been busy bolstering its business model for the future. Their recent team-up with grocery giant Kroger is part of the company’s efforts to move plant-based food options more into the purview of the mainstream public. How fruitful their partnership with Kroger will prove to be is still unknown, however, early predictions have caused major plant-based competitor Beyond Meat to have cause for concern. And considering that plant-based producer is currently sitting pretty on Wall Street at a $9.5 billion valuation, it’s likely safe to say that they are doing something right.
