Meatless burger maker Impossible Foods has sued competitor Motif Foodworks, accusing the startup of copying its technology for imitating the taste of real meat.
The lawsuit filed in Delaware federal court alleges that Motif, a spinoff of biotech company Ginkgo Bioworks, infringes an Impossible Foods patent by using a protein molecule called heme in its plant-based beef.
Impossible's lawsuit said heme is a 'central component of meat's appeal,' and Impossible incorporates the protein in its plant-based burger to replicate meat's taste, smell, and 'overall sensory experience.'
A Motif spokesperson told DailyMail.com that the lawsuit is 'a legally and factually baseless attempt to stifle innovation and limit consumer choice' and vowed the company would fight the claims.
Impossible Foods, maker of the Impossible Burger (above) has sued competitor Motif Foodworks, accusing the startup of copying its technology for imitating the taste of real meat
The lawsuit filed in Delaware federal court alleges that Motif (whose burger is seen above), a spinoff of biotech company Ginkgo Bioworks, infringes an Impossible Foods patent
Impossible uses soy leghemoglobin (above) for the heme it its fake burger
The suit says that the heme in Impossible's products comes from soy leghemoglobin, and that the company manufactures the molecule using a proprietary strain of yeast in a process protected by patent.
The lawsuit said Motif uses of an ingredient it calls 'Hemami' in its imitation burgers, alleging that this infringes the Impossible Foods patent covering a 'beef replica' product that also uses heme.
Impossible Foods asked for an undisclosed amount of money damages and a court order blocking Motif's sales of the allegedly infringing burger.
An Impossible Foods spokesperson said the company welcomes competition but does 'not
