The Procter & Gamble Company has filed a legal motion for a preliminary injunction in the patent lawsuit against Kraft Foods Inc., manufacturer of the Maxwell House Coffee brand. The motion follows the lawsuit filed in August 2007, in the US alleging that the new plastic container for Maxwell House coffee directly infringes a P&G patent on Folgers Coffee. The new motion allows the district court to quickly intervene to stop continued and further infringement of P&G's patent.

"We believe this is a case of clear infringement designed to take advantage of the consumer goodwill and business growth that P&G developed through its patented innovation on the Folgers brand," said Jim Johnson, P&G chief legal officer. "We are asking the court for a preliminary injunction because this is such a serious case of patent infringement. We must protect the intellectual property of P&G brands," he said.

In the motion for a preliminary injunction, P&G states that Folgers brand faces irreparable harm from Kraft's continued infringement. P&G requests court action to stop Kraft from continuing to manufacture and distribute Maxwell House coffee in their plastic containers.

P&G introduced the patented plastic canister for Folgers ground roast coffee in 2003. Consistent with the company's history of protecting its patents and intellectual property, P&G is taking legal action to protect Folgers' competitive advantage and investment in product innovation.