Quote :

"A 'Monster' lawyer comes knocking at a small brewery "

Quote :

" Your client's use...of VERMONSTER in connection with beer will undoubtedly create a likelihood of confusion and/or dilute the distinctive quality of Hansen's MONSTER marks," wrote attorney Diane Reed of the California law firm Knobbe Martens Olson & Bear. Matt Nadeau, who with his wife and seven employees operate tiny Rock Art Brewery in Morrisville, Vt., couldn't believe what he was reading. "I was just in disbelief," he said recalling the day he got the letter. "Oh my God, what is this all about?" At first blush it seemed absurd. How could a sugar-laden, 16-ounce caffeine-infused can of energy drink sold nationwide be confused with a 22-ounce of high alcohol content beer (10%) that you can't buy in a whole lot of places outside of Vermont? Add in that the Monster label is a big, scary, drippy "M" and the Vermonster has the gentle Rock Art logo with a Vermont farm in the background and the issue gets even stranger. And, while we're at it, why is it that Hansen didn't go after the Vermonster at Ben and Jerry's? Couldn't a 20-scoop ice cream sundae with extreme quantities of toppings cause brand dilution to Monster Energy Drink? "

Quote :

""On all fronts I'm fighting this on principle," Nadeau said. "I just don't think in America this should happen." Nadeau, who said this battle has been a big distraction from his normal brewery fun, is spending "big bucks" to defend his Vermonster brand -- trademarked in Vermont in 2006 to mark the brewery's 10th anniversary. He said he consulted with several trademark lawyers and then pledged to Hansen to never step into the energy drink market with his brand if they would drop their legal pursuit. That drew a response, he said, that tipped Monster's hand. Hansen, the attorney told Nadeau, doesn't care about his brand in the energy drink arena -- they want to go into the beer market. Even still, Nadeau said, he doesn't see how Vermonster and its decidedly different look and name poses any threat. "

This is pretty fucking rediculous. I am never drinking a MONSTER drink again. Is their business that far in the dumps due to the recession that they have nothing better to do then bully local breweries around.

http://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/10/12/a-monster-lawyer-comes-knocking-at-a-small-brewery/#

[Edited on October 13, 2009 at 4:57 PM. Reason : a]

10/13/2009 4:57:05 PM

Have you heard what Monster cables does? It's much worse.

10/13/2009 5:10:32 PM

I tried to drink a Monster cable once because I thought it was an energy drink. But then I got a cease and desist order that cleared everything up.

10/13/2009 5:39:13 PM

I keep waiting for Monster Cable to try and sue Monster Energy.

It's a shame that Monster low-carb is the only energy drink I can stand.

10/13/2009 5:56:51 PM

that's just wrong

10/13/2009 6:04:45 PM

So where do I find the job that's right for me?

10/13/2009 6:25:06 PM

not to mention Monster job search engine.

10/13/2009 6:25:54 PM

Yeah, I submitted a complaint on their website.

I like microbrews, and I know they don't have the money that these Monster energy guys have. If they decide to push this they could easily run that tiny little brewery out of business. That pisses me off. Whoever went and pushed for these needs to have their leash tightened up a bit, or they need to be fired. This is a fantastic way to make your company look like a bunch of hostile corporate assholes that are completely out of touch with reality.

10/13/2009 6:51:45 PM

I saw a movie once about a company called Monster, Inc.

10/13/2009 7:06:15 PM

^and they were threatened with suit by monster cables

10/13/2009 8:47:53 PM

I guess no one has heard what Apple does on a routine basis?

10/13/2009 8:53:05 PM

they sent some thugs to rough up Granny Smith?

10/14/2009 12:14:32 AM

I think I used to drink this beer back when I was in western Massachusetts. This is the dumbest infringement I've heard yet, and I hope that MONSTER gets smacked around in court.

10/14/2009 1:08:28 AM