In the state of Vermont there is a small craft brewery which has been brewing and selling a beer named Vermonster for several years. Distribution of the beer is mostly within the state of Vermont. I’ve never had a Vermonster, but the folks at Beer Advocate give it a B+ . Apparently, the makers of the Monster line of energy drinks (Hansen Beverage) have got a bug up their butt that the beer in Vermont is infringing on their turf. So their lawyers have fired up letters to the Rock Art Brewery, the brewery for Vermonster. Their claim is that people will confuse the two and that the quality of Hansen’s MONSTER trademarks will be diluted.
Monsterwash.
Undoubtedly the Hansen Beverage folks have tons of money to pay attorneys. Much more than Rock Art Brewery can afford. I can only hope that the Vermonster survives this bullying.
I tried to visit the Monster Beverage website to register my complaint, but the site was down (“We are currently updating our site”). I guess all their budget for their web site is being diverted to the attorneys.
On a related note, The Loch Ness Monster has contacted legal counsel to protect its name…
The Rutland Herald (VT) has an article which you can read here.