Johnson & Johnson yesterday sued the American Red Cross over a festering trademark dispute. The two entities have amicably shared the familiar symbol of a red cross--Johnson & Johnson on its commercial products and the American Red Cross as a symbol of its relief efforts--for more than 100 years. In 2004, however, the American Red Cross began licensing the symbol to commercial partners selling products at retail establishments. According to the lawsuit, those products include humidifiers, medical examination gloves, nail clippers, combs and toothbrushes. The president of the American Red Cross, Mark W. Everson, says in …

Toyota has decided to delay the launches of new high-mileage hybrids with lithium-ion battery technology for a year or two because of potential safety problems. The batteries Toyota is trying to develop use particles of lithium cobalt oxide. Such batteries have shown a tendency to overheat, catch fire or even explode. Until recently, Toyota was preparing to roll out a dozen new and redesigned hybrids using new lithium-ion battery technology in the U.S. between 2008 and 2010. Its hybrids now use nickel-metal-hydride batteries. The rollout--critical to Toyota's goal of selling 600,000 hybrids a year in the U.S. …

Wal-Mart is launching a "Roommate Style Match" group on the Facebook social networking site in the hopes of grabbing a larger chunk of back-to-college shopping market. Facebook users who join the group can take a quiz to determine their decorating style and get a list of "recommended products" they can buy at Wal-Mart to mesh their style with their roommate's. Students can also download a shopping list of dorm room items sold at Wal-Mart, link to Wal-Mart's Web site promoting "earth-friendly" products, or click on Soundcheck, Wal-Mart's Web site showing musical performances by singers Bon Jovi and Mandy …

Campbell Soup is expected to announce today that it is putting its Godiva Chocolatier brand on the auction block because it doesn't view the unit as fitting with its current business focus. Campbell has become increasingly focused on "wellness," with the introduction of low-sodium soups containing natural sea salt, Pepperidge Farm whole-grain bread and new antioxidant-rich fruit versions of its V8 vegetable juice. Other than Pepperidge Farm cookies, Godiva chocolates are the only "indulgence" products in Campbell's portfolio. The well-managed brand name is likely to attract broad interest. Campbell has successfully created a refined, European image for …

Kroger, the nation's largest traditional grocer, yesterday launched its own brand of organic foods. It will display the products--65 to begin with--throughout the store and outside their usual home in natural foods sections. It expects to double its Private Selection brand organics by the end of the year. Linda Severin, Kroger vice president for corporate brands, said marketing under the slogan "Organics for Everyone" will appeal to consumers who don't focus their shopping on organic foods, but are interested in trying them. The private brand line generally will be priced lower than other organics Kroger sells. Kroger's …

A reformulated Miller Genuine Draft Light called MGD 64--with 64 calories and 2.4 carbohydrate grams--is being test marketed in Madison, Wis. Store displays carry the tagline "As light as it gets"; a bar push will include sampling, branded beer tubs, rest room and table-top signage. The new brew is targeting Bud Light, Michelob Ultra and Coors Light consumers with what a Miller source is calling MGD 64's darker color, fuller body and good finish. Miller also hopes the low-calorie content matters--Beck's Premier Light, an InBev brand distributed and marketed by Anheuser-Busch, packs 64 calories and 3.2 grams of carbs--in …

At an event at its corporate headquarters in Silicon Valley yesterday, Apple CEO Steve Jobs unveiled a sleek new aluminum-and-glass line of iMacs--as well as some updated software--that Apple believes will further distinguish it from rival PCs running Microsoft Corp.'s Windows operating system. The Apple products--including a new spreadsheet program called Numbers that will compete directly with Microsoft's Excel program--are part of a years-long campaign by Apple to convert Windows users through spiffy products and high-profile television commercials. The new iMacs, which cost between $1,199 and $1,799, come with a brushed-aluminum shell and a glass screen, replacing …

Johnson & Johnson last week announced it would eliminate up to 4,800 jobs as it braced for competition to its drugs Risperdal for schizophrenia and Topamax for seizures and migraine headaches. Shortly after, Sanofi-Aventis announced that sales of the sleep-aid Ambien, which became available in generic form in April, plunged to $91 million in the second quarter from $420 million in the same period last year. As patents begin to expire on brand-name medications with more than $60 billion in combined annual sales over the next five years, analysts are forecasting a golden era for generic drugs. One …

On the occasion of its 100th anniversary, Faygo soda is posting thank-you messages to customers on billboards across the U.S., even as the Detroit institution works to keep a modern edge. The company is seeking new brands and products, including enhanced waters, lemonade, teas and energy drinks. Russian immigrant bakers Ben and Perry Feigenson--who used cake-frosting recipes to cook up the carbonated soft drink--began bottling fruit punch, strawberry and grape sodas in 1907. The company name was shortened to Faygo because Feigenson was too long for the bottle, says marketing director Matthew Rosenthal, grandson of Ben. Once sold …

Crown Royal's "Legends of the Purple Bag" promotion encourages consumers to submit pictures of quilts, reupholstered chairs or any other variety of crafty fare they create out of the whiskey's purple packaging bags. Entries can be submitted via mail or at CrownRoyal.com through Dec. 31; the winner will get a "legendary" weekend trip to both Los Angeles and New York. The weekend in Los Angeles includes a movie night with Hugh Hefner and a private tour of his mansion with a Playboy bunny. The weekend in New York features a day of VIP treatment at the ESPN …