The a2 Milk Company (a2MC) is seeking unspecified damages from an Australian competitor over the use of its trademarks and other related infringements.

The speciality milk company said it had filed a claim against a group of companies operating under the Care A2 Plus umbrella, including Care IP and Care A2 Australia in the Federal Court in New South Wales.

a2MC Products use raw A1 beta-casein protein-free milk as the milk source, with its trademarks featuring the sign "A2" or "a2" as a dominant feature on a range of dairy products, including infant formula.

In its statement of claim, the company said Care A2 Plus had been using its trademarks since at least October 2020 on the packaging and promotion of products distributed for sale in Australia, including infant formula, follow-on formula and toddler formula.

It said it had asked Care A2 Plus to stop using its trademarks but it had neglected, failed or refused to do so, despite efforts to resolve the issue through correspondence between their legal representatives.

"The a2 Milk Company vigorously protects its intellectual property rights, including trademarks," it said in a statement, but declined to be interviewed or make further comment as the case was before the court.