AFTER all the legal huffin' and puffin' over similarities of name and packaging design between the Penguin and Puffin chocolate bars, this week it was the turn of toilet roll manufacturer Andrex to have its day in a London courtroom.

The company claimed that Fort Sterling, a rival producer, had referred to the Andrex name in marketing its "forest friendly" recycled Nouvelle brand, without making its sufficiently clear that the two products were unconnected.

The latest promotional packaging for Nouvelle Quilted was flushed down the legal pan because it promised "Softness guaranteed (or we'll exchange it for Andrex)". The court decided that the inference could be drawn that Andrex was in some way behind the promotion. An injunction was granted prohibiting Fort Sterling from using the Andrex name without adequately distinguishing between the two products. Dare one say it ... Andrex lawyers, flushed with success, were much relieved at the outcome.