The owners of a tavern in Lake Geneva, Wisconsin have reportedly changed its name from “The Ninkasi Pub” to “Kimkasi Pub” after the Ninkasi Brewery Co. in Eugene, Oregon threatened legal action.
The brewery’s lawyer reportedly informed them that, due to potential confusion between their two businesses and infringement of the brewery’s trademark on “Ninkasi”, they must abandon their name or face legal repercussions.
When asked to provide words of wisdom for other business owners choosing a name, owner Kim Minette reportedly said that more due diligence could have been used to avoid potential trademark disputes. In fairness to Minette, however, she also said she did not know the name “Ninkasi” – the Sumerian goddess of beer – could be trademarked at all
Authors: Larissa Fulop and Sasha Engel Hercz
Authors
Expertise
Insights
-
Intellectual Property Litigation
Sportswear Brand Sues University Over Similarities in Merchandise
As reported by the Associated Press, Columbia Sportswear has sued Columbia University, claiming that the university infringed the sportswear company’s trademark and breached an agreement between the… -
Intellectual Property Litigation
Call Dropped: Verizon Cuts Deal in $175M Patent Clash
Verizon and Headwater Research LLC have reportedly agreed to settle a patent infringement lawsuit that ended with a $175 million USD jury verdict against the telecom giant. Headwater, a… -
Intellectual Property Litigation
Nintendo Secures Copyright Victory in China
In a recent copyright infringement case, the Jiangsu High Court ruled in favor of Nintendo, awarding the company approximately $28,000 USD, or 200,000 RMB, and an injunction against an unnamed… -
Intellectual Property Litigation
Regulatory Updates – Impacts of Global Tariffs on Pharmaceuticals
Recent tariff measures affecting pharmaceutical products and ingredients have introduced new compliance and cost considerations for manufacturers, distributors, and importers operating in Canada and… -
Intellectual Property Litigation
US Appeals Court: Supertramp Songwriter Must "Give a Little Bit"
As reported by Reuters, the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals has ruled that Roger Hodgson, the former Supertramp singer and songwriter, must compensate three former band members for a share of… -
Intellectual Property Litigation
Fallout from Trade Secret Theft in Taiwan
As reported by Reuters, three former employees of Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company ("TSMC") were charged with violating security law and other offences in Taiwan. The prosecutors have…