Rebel Creamery Chapter 11 Bankruptcy

Rebel Creamery LLC, maker of Rebel Ice Cream, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection on August 14, 2026, in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of Utah. The filing came after U.S. District Judge Eric R. Komitee of the Eastern District of New York ruled on July 16, 2026, that Rebel intentionally infringed and diluted Van Leeuwen Ice Cream's trade dress, awarding Van Leeuwen $23.785 million in disgorged profits. The court found that Rebel's packaging, featuring monochromatic pints, pastel colors, and black script lettering, copied Van Leeuwen's distinctive design, causing marketplace confusion. Rebel listed assets of approximately $13.78 million against liabilities of $23.85 million, with the Van Leeuwen judgment as its largest liability. Rebel filed a notice of appeal on August 12, two days before the bankruptcy petition. The bankruptcy filing triggers an automatic stay, protecting Rebel from collection actions while it reorganizes. Rebel Ice Cream remains available at major retailers including Walmart, Kroger, Target, and Safeway. The case highlights the financial risks of trade dress infringement for consumer brands.