A jury is hearing evidence in a four-year-long legal battle over a “secret” fudge recipe used by a Mercer County business.

A trial began Monday in the U.S. District Court in Pittsburgh to decide if the ex-wife of Christopher Warman and others have been using Warman’s “Chocolate Moonshine” fudge recipe and infringing on the trademark.

Warman operates a dozen gourmet fudge stores in seven states with the headquarters at Grove City Premium outlets.

Warman’s civil lawsuit alleges that the Chocolate Moonshine formula is a “valuable trade secret” that was licensed to Christine Falvo, his wife who has filed for divorce.

The suit also says Warman licensed the Chocolate Moonshine trademark to CM Chocolatier of Pittsburgh to make money for the Warman family.

The complaint alleges that Warman’s ex-wife, Chocolatier, Local Yokels Fudge LLC, and two others conspired to take Warman’s business, infringe the trademark, and misappropriate the trade secret.

The defendants have denied the allegations.

In addition to seeking damages, Warman wants the court to issue an injunction preventing the defendants from selling, distributing, or manufacturing chocolates using the “Chocolate Moonshine” label.