Pet Food Express announced that Royal Canin’s antitrust lawsuit against Pet Food Express was dismissed by Judge Marilyn Patel of the US District Court, Northern District of California.

The case focuses on a 1997 distribution agreement between the two companies that was signed by Royal Canin’s predecessor Pet Products Plus, but that Pet Food Express claims was violated when Mars Inc. purchased Royal Canin and sold the petfood to PetSmart stores.

Pet Food Express is now seeking US$22.8 million in damages from Royal Canin, for what Pet Food Express calls a "breach of contract" by Royal Canin. The trial date is set for May 31, 2011.