Scotts Accuses Procter & Gamble of Ripping Off Miracle-Gro Look

Scotts Co. accused Procter & Gamble Co. of copying its decades-old Miracle-Gro trade dress as the consumer products company enters the lawn and garden care market.

P&G’s green and yellow packaging is among the branding features that may cause confusion with Miracle-Gro, the complaint in the US District Court for the Southern District of Ohio said. The “transparent attempt to piggyback off” Scotts’ goodwill in P&G’s “Spruce"-branded packaging represents a “brazen attempt to gain immediate market share” in a new business, the trademark suit said.

The dispute will hinge on whether Scotts can establish its packaging indicates a particular seller ...