Rebel Creamery Files Chapter 11 After $23.8 Million Trade-Dress Ruling

Industry Pulse News Desk · 2026-08-19

The low-carb ice cream maker filed for bankruptcy protection following a federal ruling that it intentionally copied rival Van Leeuwen's packaging design.

Rebel Creamery filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection following a federal court ruling ordering the low-carb ice cream maker to pay rival Van Leeuwen Ice Cream nearly $24 million over a trade-dress infringement dispute.

The Utah-based business submitted its bankruptcy petition in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of Utah on Aug. 14, listing $13.78 million in assets and $23.85 million in liabilities. The filing occurred two days after Rebel appealed a July court decision that found the company intentionally copied and diluted Van Leeuwen's visual packaging design.

The legal conflict centered on Rebel's pint containers, which featured solid background colors and prominent cursive lettering similar to Van Leeuwen's minimalist visual branding. A federal judge ruled that Rebel infringed on Van Leeuwen's trade dress, pointing to evidence of widespread customer and grocery store worker confusion where both brands were stocked on adjacent shelves.

Rebel's founders testified that they designed their packaging independently in late 2017 without prior knowledge of Van Leeuwen, though they kept no initial design records or drafts. Van Leeuwen launched the lawsuit in 2021 seeking $36.4 million in profits, ultimately resulting in the court ordering Rebel to alter its pint packaging alongside the monetary judgment.

Rebel listed the judgment as disputed on its bankruptcy filings while the appeal moves forward. The company confirmed its products will remain available at major national retailers throughout the proceedings.