Court battle in New Orleans is a decade-long sno-ball fight

NEW ORLEANS (AP) - Finely shaved ice. Sugary syrup that tastes like pralines or strawberries or pina coladas. The making of a classic New Orleans "sno-ball," it would seem, is a simple matter - that is, until lawyers get involved.

Allegations of trademark violations and patent infringement have been boiling up in state and federal courts since 2005 in what amounts to a decade-long sno-ball fight between SnoWizard Inc, which makes ice-shaving machines and flavorings, and rivals including Southern Snow Manufacturing and Snow Ingredients Inc.

Signs that the legal frozen food fight may be playing out are in a decision handed down Aug. 15 by the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals.