VitaminWater and SoBe duke it out in court over packaging similarities

Energy Brands, Inc., the maker of Vitaminwater, has filed a trademark lawsuit against PepsiCo, Inc. claiming that the packaging on Pepsi's new nutrient water, Life Water, looks a bit too much like Vitaminwater's.

Energy Brands, which now goes by the name Glaceau, said that the packaging closely mimics distinctive elements of Vitaminwater's packaging, according to a Dow Jones report.

The suit, filed in federal court in Manhattan, claims that the "knock-off" packaging—similar looking plastic bottles—is a direct attempt to confusion consumers, the report said.

Vitaminwater, a colored water, is packaged in 20-ounce wide-mouthed clear bottles. Life Water, sold under the SoBe brand, is also colored water packaged in wide-mouth plastic bottles.

Last month, SoBe introduced SoBe Life Water, a line of vitamin-enhanced water beverages that contain vitamins C and E as well as members of the vitamin B complex. The beverage is available in five flavors.

Vitaminwater has been on the market since 2000.