Magnum Ice Cream welcomes US court decision to narrow Ben & Jerry's lawsuit

Published Aug 26, 09:15 PM UTC

Magnum Ice Cream Company, the Amsterdam-based spin-off from Unilever, welcomed a US federal court decision that significantly narrowed a lawsuit brought by former Ben & Jerry's independent directors. Judge Kevin Castel of the Manhattan federal court dismissed seven of ten counts and trimmed another, ruling that Magnum should replace Unilever as the main defendant. The lawsuit accused Unilever and Magnum of breaching commitments from the 2000 acquisition of Ben & Jerry's, which had protected the brand's board structure, social mission, and foundation. Two claims remain in full, related to missed payments under a 2022 settlement over Ben & Jerry's trademark rights in Israel, and a partial claim on an ongoing governance dispute. Magnum stated the decision demonstrates the former directors had no right to sue on behalf of Ben & Jerry's, which it says is thriving under its ownership. The dispute stems from years of tension over Ben & Jerry's board independence and activism, including its stance on the occupied West Bank.