Trademark War Erupts In Craft Brewing Industry

Legal disputes in the beer world are the norm as new craft breweries spring up at a rate of roughly two per day. Disputes over the names of breweries and their beers are so common that one San Diego lawyer attempted to trademark the term “Craft Beer Attorney,” but a dozen or so lawyers who claim they are equally engaged in the artisinal disputes are opposing her. Recently a Fresno brewery tried to name its operation Black Ops Brewing in honor of family members in the armed services, but a New York brewery sued because it has a beer named Brooklyn Black Ops, a mark it protects zealously because it is the brand name of a specialty imperial stout that sells for about $30 a bottle. The Fresno business is now called Tactical Ops Brewing Inc.