Ben & Jerry's censorship lawsuit narrowed

A Manhattan federal judge narrowed Ben & Jerry’s lawsuit against Unilever by dismissing seven claims and part of one other, leaving two surviving claims centered on missed payments from a 2022 settlement. Magnum, the Amsterdam-based owner since the Ben & Jerry’s spin-off, will now replace Unilever as the primary defendant. The case alleges Unilever attempted to suppress the ice cream maker’s social activism, dismantle its independent board, and cut funding for its philanthropic mission. The dispute traces back to Ben & Jerry’s 2021 decision to halt sales in the Israeli-occupied West Bank and concerns over censorship of activism, including plans to criticize President Donald Trump as he began his second term. The surviving claims involve about $4.5 million in missed payments, while other operational disputes were largely narrowed. Magnum welcomed the ruling, calling the decision a significant narrowing of the case and noting that the Ben & Jerry’s brand remains strong alongside Unilever’s other products.