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NYTimes.com: The Lord Justice Hath Ruled: Pringles Are Potato Chips

NYTimes.com: The Lord Justice Hath Ruled: Pringles Are Potato Chips

Britain’s Supreme Court of Judicature has answered a question that has long puzzled late-night dorm-room snackers: What, exactly, is a Pringle? With citations ranging from Baroness Hale of Richmond to Oliver Wendell Holmes, Lord Justice Robin Jacob concluded that, legally, it is a potato chip.

Procter & Gamble’s lawyers argued that Pringles were not potato chips to get out of paying $160 million in taxes.

In Britain, most foods are exempt from the value-added tax, but potato chips — known as crisps — and “similar products made from the potato, or from potato flour,” are taxable. Procter & Gamble, in what could be considered a plea for strict construction, argued that Pringles — which are about 40 percent potato flour, but also contain corn, rice and wheat — should not be considered potato chips or “similar products.” Rather, they are “savory snacks.”

Getting out of paying the tax put P&G in the awkward position of arguing that Pringles lack “Potatoness”.  I wonder what marketing things about that.

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