Anheuser-Busch is a fairly litigious company. The world’s largest brewery has sued various small businesses over the smallest resemblance “Bud” in a name. Now the brewery finds itself sued by a craft brewery, Big Sky.
Recently, AB launched a new ad campaign featuring the voice of John Krasinski, best known as “Jim Halpert” from NBC’s The Office tv show. The online only videos feature various funny scenarios with the tagline “Hold My Beer.”
Big Sky contends that this has been part of their branding since 2004. (See can image below.)
AB issued a response to the lawsuit, contending that the phrase isn’t something that can truly be trademarked.
“These humorous Bud Light videos explore the unexpected things that could happen when you ask someone to hold your beer,” said Rob McCarthy, vice president of Bud Light marketing. “There is no trademark use of the phrase ‘Hold my beer and watch this,’ nor is there intent to create any association with Big Sky. Countless other videos and jokes use the same or similar words as a punch line or hashtag.”
Looks like this one is going to court. Below is an example of the Budweiser “Hold My Beer” videos.