Rival seeks to lick Lindt in battle of the chocolate bunnies

Hauswirth disputes the validity of Lindt's trademark, claiming that chocolate bunnies have been produced and wrapped in gold foil for many decades

The European court of justice will rule later today on the sticky question of whether a chocolate bunny can be trademarked.

The issue has come before Europe's top court following a long battle between Switzerland's Lindt & Sprungli and fellow chocolate maker Hauswirth of Austria

With its red ribbon, small bell, prominent ears, squatting posture and delicate paws, Lindt's milk chocolate bunny is one of its flagship products

Hauswirth, though, has refused to roll over. It disputes the validity of Lindt's trademark, claiming that chocolate bunnies have been produced and wrapped in gold foil for many decades. It also argues that making a rabbit-shaped piece of chocolate is such a technological challenge that it is inevitable that most will end up looking similar.