Beyond Meat, Inc. filed a Form 8-K with the SEC on September 22, 2026, disclosing that a federal court entered a judgment of $15,437,500 against the company on September 18, 2026, following post-trial rulings in a trademark infringement case brought by Sonate Corporation.

Key Highlights

  • Court judgment entered: On September 18, 2026, the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida entered judgment against Beyond Meat in the amount of $15,437,500.
  • Judgment breakdown: The total is comprised of $37,500 in actual damages and $15.4 million in disgorgement of the company's profits.
  • Dramatic reduction in actual damages: The court reduced the jury's original actual damages award from $23.5 million to $37,500, while accepting the jury's $15.4 million disgorgement finding.
  • Sonate's motions denied: The court denied Sonate's post-trial motions seeking prejudgment interest and an increase in the disgorgement award.
  • Further proceedings possible: According to the filing, "The Company or Sonate may pursue further motion practice and/or appeals related to the judgment."
  • Underlying claim: The First Amended Complaint alleged that Beyond Meat's use of the tagline "Plant-Based Great Taste" infringed on Sonate's registered trademark WHERE GREAT TASTE IS PLANT-BASED.

Court Reduces Actual Damages but Upholds Full Disgorgement Against Beyond Meat

According to the Form 8-K filed by Beyond Meat, Inc. (NASDAQ:BYND), the underlying lawsuit was originally filed on April 28, 2022, by Sonate Corporation, doing business as Vegadelphia Foods, in the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida, Orlando Division. The case also named Dunkin' Brands Group, Inc. and Dunkin' Brands, Inc. as co-defendants. The complaint alleged that Beyond Meat's use of the tagline "Plant-Based Great Taste," as well as a shared tagline "Great Taste Plant-Based" used with Dunkin, infringed on Sonate's registered trademark WHERE GREAT TASTE IS PLANT-BASED.

The filing disclosed that a jury trial commenced on November 10, 2025 and concluded on November 24, 2025. The jury found Beyond Meat liable for trademark infringement and determined that the fair use defense did not apply. The jury originally awarded $23.5 million in actual damages and $15.4 million in disgorgement of the company's profits. Following the verdict, the company filed a motion seeking to reduce or eliminate the amounts awarded, while Sonate filed motions seeking prejudgment interest and an increase in the disgorgement award.

On September 18, 2026, the court ruled on all post-trial motions. The court denied Sonate's motions in their entirety. The court granted the company's motion in part, reducing actual damages from $23.5 million to $37,500, while accepting the jury's disgorgement figure of $15.4 million. The resulting judgment entered against the company totals $15,437,500. The filing noted that further motion practice or appeals by either party remain possible.

What Was Disclosed

Beyond Meat disclosed a September 18, 2026 court judgment of $15,437,500 against the company in a trademark infringement case, reflecting $37,500 in actual damages and $15.4 million in profit disgorgement, with the possibility of further appeals noted.