The charitable arm of a grocery business is facing a legal challenge from a US gaming platform over alleged intellectual property infringement.
Video game developer Roblox Corporation recently commenced legal proceedings against company Roc Co, including its charitable arm Rocco Brands Group.
Last Monday, City AM reported that Roblox had filed a lawsuit in London High Court on 11 September against the British grocery business.
Charity Rocco Brands Group was also named in court filings, the newspaper reported.
In December last year, Roc Co advertised “RocBlox sweets”, packets of sour cables in the shape of robot characters, which are still listed for sale on the company’s website.
Civil Society understands that Roblox, if awarded damages by the court, intends to donate the money to a charity that Roc Co supports.
Charity registered this year
Rocco Brands Group was registered in January to relieve sickness by providing financial support to charities looking after families with seriously ill children.
“We create great quality everyday affordable food items without the large overheads of market leading global brands,” Roc Co stated on its website.
“We then donate 100% of our net profits to Rocco Brands Group charity, which distributes funds to our chosen charity partners.”
The grantmaking charity operates in England and Wales and has three trustees, including a chair.
Roc Co stated on its website that it has raised £15,000 for charity over the last 12 months, and aims to grow its brands further to support more charitable causes.
Its website lists NHS Charities Together, Ronald McDonald House Charities UK and Evelina London Children’s Charity as its primary charity partners.
Roc Co was set up in 2020 by a British family, named after their son Rocco who was born in 2012 and survived a series of serious medical problems.
Rocco Brands Group and Roblox Corporation declined to comment.
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