The German store may now melt down all of its stock after the Swiss country’s top court agreed with Lindt in the dispute over the chocolate bunny.
Following its defeat in a legal dispute with Lindt, Lidl was given the order to destroy its chocolate bunnies.
The Swiss firm had argued its gold-wrapped Easter rabbit deserved copyright protection from a similar product sold by the budget supermarket.
Switzerland’s highest court agreed and overturned a ruling last year by the country’s commercial court that had sided with Lidl.
It ordered that all the imitation bunnies be destroyed, but suggested the chocolate needn’t be wasted and could be melted for use in other products.
“Destruction is proportionate, especially as it does not necessarily mean that the chocolate as such would have to be destroyed,” it said in a summary of its verdict on Thursday.
It said that even though there are some differences between the two products, there was still the possibility of confusion for consumers.
Lindt’s bunny has a red bow and bell, while Lidl’s has a green bow and bell. The colour of the foil is similar as are the illustrations of the features.