A recent development in the brewing industry came to light when a Michigan-based craft brewer entered a trademark dispute with a tequila company from Mexico on Thursday. The contention flared up when the tequila company attempted to nullify the craft brewer’s trademark on the name “Dragon’s Milk”, alleging that it was closely similar to their own brand “Casa Dragones”.
However, the Michigan craft brewer robustly defended their trademark, asserting that the tequila maker’s brand lacked the fame and ubiquity necessary to make such a claim that would hold up under the definitions set out under the federal Lanham Act. The outcome of this legal exchange is bound to set a precedence in the interpretation of trademark laws and disputes in the beverage industry.