Lawsuits
A witty name for a hoppy beer has gotten NOLA Brewing Co. stuck in a lawsuit. Toho Co. Ltd. is claiming that NOLA’s MechaHopzilla that was released last year infringes on currently held trademarks.
The lawsuit covers not only the name Continue Reading →
Troegs and Fegleys have been having a “minor” disagreement over an Elf. As you might recall – Troegs makes Mad Elf, Fegleys makes Rude Elf’s Reserve. Troegs filed a trademark challenge against Fegley’s.
Troegs has withdrawn the challenge as Continue Reading →
Bell’s Brewing is seeking a court order preventing Winery Exchange Inc (Novato, CA) to win a trademark over “Copper BELL” beer name. Bell’s is also seeking a financial settlement.
Bell’s sent a “cease and desist letter” to Winery Exchange over the summer, Continue Reading →
They say you can’t judge a book by its cover, but can you judge a beer by its label? Beer becomes a first amendment issue. @JayeMarie, beer lover & future lawyer helps breakdown the legal side of this beer issue.
The Breakdown: Flying Dog filed suit in federal court this week against the Michigan Liquor Control Commission (MLCC) with the request that the federal judge overturn the state-wide ban on one of its top selling beers, Raging Bitch, and award Flying Dog damages for the loss of sales due to the ban.
All out of state beer manufacturers must apply to the MLCC for a license to sell their product within the state of Michigan. Failure to do so may result in criminal charges.
Flying Dog first applied for a license to sell Raging Bitch in 2009 but was turned down. The brewery appealed only to be turned down again because according to the MLLC, the brew’s name, label, and statement on the back “contains such language deemed detrimental to the health, safety or welfare of the general public.”
Wrestlemania is a week away. Perhaps a battle of the elves is in order. Troeg’s Brewing (Harrisburg, PA) has filed a cease & desist order against Bethlehem Brew Works (Bethlehem, PA), makers of Fegley’s beers.
The Breakdown:
Troeg’s Brewing makes Mad Elf Continue Reading →