Posted at 12:45 p.m., Wednesday, July 11, 2001

Cookie maker says rival copied product

Advertiser Staff

Big Island Candies said it is suing Cookie Corner over efforts to copy its most popular products, including a chocolate-dipped shortbread cookie.

"The product in question, manufactured and sold by the Cookie Corner, replicates in exacting detail Big Island Candies' flagship product in appearance, ingredients and packaging," Big Island Candies said in a statement.

Big Island Candies president Allan Ikawa said today that he filed the suit in federal court July 3 to force Cookie Corner to stop marketing its chocolate-dipped cookies.

"We ain't copycats," responded Angus McKibbins, co-founder and general partner of Cookie Corner. "Please look at our box. It is custom-made."

McKibbins said his company spent almost two years developing its chocolate-dipped shortbread cookie and packaging in response to requests for a product in a premium gift box. Chocolate dipping is a common practice, he said.

"There are a lot of people dipping," McKibbins said. "This process is used throughout the industry."

Big Island Candies said its attempt to resolve the issue outside the courts was "met with resistance and disdain."

In a statement, the company said: "We hope to achieve a resolution that will lead others to appreciate and respect the hard-earned rights of any entrepreneur who has struggled to develop a unique and successful product."