More Corporate Bullying - Monster Suing Rock Art Brewery

SkierX

SkierX

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http://www.7dvt.com/2009monster-mash

Cliffs of the article

-Hansen Beverages sent a Cease & Desist to Rock Art Brewery over the name of one of their microbrews, Vermonster. They claim trademark infringement and "Your client’s use and registration of the Vermonster in connection with beer will undoubtedly create a likelihood of confusion and/or dilute the distinctive quality of Hansen’s Monster marks,”

Rock Art Brewery is a small micro-brewery located in Vermont.

This is a absurd and frivolous tactic but the owner of Rock Art Brewery is concerned about the financial impacts of Hansen drawing out the process with expensive appeals.

Just wanted to make sure you kids are aware of the corporate bullying that is going on by the makers of one of the top energy drinks, Monster.
 
Hah, eff me.

I didn't run an acutal search. I just scanned the first two pages.

I'm going to leave this thread up though because a lot of people on this site consume energy drinks and they should all be aware of how ridiculous the owners and makers of Monster are being in this situation.
 
this is so retarded its not even funny, i bet 90% of the people who drink monster are under 21 in the first place so it shouldnt matter
 
i dont know the law lingo but i know if your name is something common like the word "Monster" you pretty much forfeit copyrights on your name to a certain extent. Where as if it were something unique like monsta it would be a legit case. but monster is a common word and they even added vernmonster so they have no weight in this case. maybe there is an agenda behind this.
 
that's so dumb. Do they really think that a small vermont brewery is gonna make a huge hit in profit?
 
Saw this about a week ago and I don't want to see the issue die, I am gonna wave Rock Art's flag high on this one, not only because I detest frivolous corporate lawsuits, but I enjoy a Vermonster from time to time. Back the fuck off Hansen's / Monster Energy!
 
really monster? really? you're gonna sue this little brewery from vermont that in no way affects your business in a negative way?

that's so screwed up. fuck monster
 
This is a really stupid infringement claim, but how hard would it be to change the name of a beer? Just strike a deal that henceforth we'll call it something else. I feel like the brewery could save a lot of money by capitulating to the bullies here and it wouldn't be THAT big a loss to them, it's not like they have to change the recipe.
 
I hear Annheiser-Busch is trying to sue every cannabis smoker for calling it "bud" just in case they get in the marijuana business later.
 
they are probably getting so much publicity for the whole thing that i bet they actually want this to be an issue for a while, i doubt they will actually go to court to fight it but the publicity leading up to the whole thing is probably what they are in it for
 
Sorry for the dub post, but wouldn't Ben & Jerry's have a better claim against that seeing as they actually sell a product called "The Vermonster"? Fuck this shit.
 
yeah but in turn the popularity can be affected by changing the name so some customers might not know what it is anymore.

however i would find it hilarious if one of monsters competitors like red bull gave them financial backing. how funny would that be?
 
Yes, that would be the easiest and cheapest way out. But to use your words, why change the course of your business over a "really stupid infringement claim". Sometimes you have to stick up for yourself with this kind of shit, and I'm glad that Rock Art is taking this stance.
 
Has anyone sent an e-mail to Monster, kind of like what was done with sponcers of WME? Someone should post the link to e-mail them and let them know that they are losing the business of a large amount of the ski community. I don't know how effective this would be but it couldn't hurt right?
 
i don't think i have seen so many ppl in one thread use the term frivolous before. Expand your vocabulary from that of the OP's.
But ya this is pretty redic not going to lie, they should just change it to "vermonster bull" :P
 
this, and to be honest this is GREAT advertising for Rock Art. It was picked up by the Washington Post I think, and a Tampa Bay newspaper. This is better advertisement than Rock Art's ever had.
 
To be honest Monster don't have much ammunition to use on this one. The only way they would win a case such as this would be if there was clear intention that the other brand are attempting to market via their brand. (Which I 99% doubt) I mean just look at the Mc Curry VS MC Donalds lawsuit a while back, Mc Donalds lost.
 
While 100% accurate, I'm sure that Hansen Beverages is fully aware of this as well.

They can however strong-arm Rock Art into either changing the name or flat out putting them out of business by financially wrecking them with costly appeals.

Hansen/Monster needs to feel the heat from consumers for this to disappear without Rock Art having to change the name of their beer.
 
I, for one, don't care. It's easy to demonize the corporate guys, but grow up. There is no injustice here.
 
yes... there is. rock art is in no way trying to infringe on monster, their beers not even called monster, its vermonster. there is absolutely no way this is nessicary.

this is the wme/level1 of the beverage business (jk)
 
Seriously?

So you think a corporate giant filing a lawsuit against a small scale company in a different product market with a differing name is just?

Jesus%20facepalm.jpg
 
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