Dive Brief:
- The European Patent Office's appeals board has revoked a patent for Nestle's Nespresso coffee system, which related to how its machines handle used capsules.
- Nestle is currently trying to prevent rival coffee companies such as Ethical Coffee Company SA and Mondelez International Inc. from selling competing capsules for Nespresso machines.
- Nestle's official response asserted that "the decision fails to recognize the unique innovations inherent in the design of the Nespresso system."
Dive Insight:
Capsules are an enticing market right now for companies that can control preparation platforms and capsule designs. In the end, consumers may very well welcome a wider range of choices for their Nespresso machines, but Nestle may have to rethink it's overall strategies—with pricing or otherwise—if it knows it won't be the only brand supplying the coffee.