Poll: Monster Energy Vs. Vermonster Beer
What is wrong with people?
Monster Energy is strong arming a poor little brewing company in Vermont.
A lawyer contacted Rock Art Brewery with a letter stating the following;
“Stop using “Vermonster” as the name of one your beers because consumers might confuse it with the energy drink.”
“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.
Monster just lost some points with me. I can’t believe they would be that petty! What do you think? Participate in the poll below.
Update: Monster has withdrawn its lawsuit against Vermonster!
[poll id="11"]
15 Comments
Last Modified: October 26, 2009
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Monster are full of themselves.
I don’t think they should have to change it unless Monster can prove it’s hurting their business in some way. I hope Monster doesn’t win this, as much as I love their products. I’ve never even heard of Vermonster till now, and when this case makes news, that’s when it’s really going to hurt them worse than if they just left it alone.
I’ve also never heard of Vermonster, and I’m confuaed about who would ever confuse the names. It’s suprising they have time to harass small companies with all the new drinks thy are making and all the promotion they do lol.
Wow, they are doing the exact same thing as Monster Cables
C’mon…let’s be above that, people. Seriously? Energy drink companies are given enough crap to begin with! Monster is just digging themselves a hole.
Wow this is ridiculous
if this is considered copyright then lets name a few more.
Vermonster is also a Ben&Jerry icecream and a 4×4 trail in Vermont
But lets stick with drinks.
Mountain Dew – Mountain Holla, Mountain Breeze, Mountain Fury, Mountain Lighting, Mountain Mojo, Mountain Yeller, Rocky Mist (theres more)
Dr. Pepper – Dr. Topper, Dr. Thunder, Dr. Perky, Dr. Phizz, Dr. Riffic (theres more)
Most the time these are blatent direct ripoffs flatout stealing; image, packaging, color, and taste.
These are also usually located right next to the “big brand” in stores such as Walmart.
Vermonster is in a fucking microbrewery in Vermont. What kind of damage could it possibly be doing.
This is worse than the Volt vs. Vault suit of last September… *groan*
Ben and Jerry’s Vermonster has been around a bit longer than Monster energy drink.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vermonster
corporate america is after our small business, also. We’ve been using the name Oil Zone since 1996 for our two oil cnange shops. In 2003 a national retail parts store, Autozone, sued us. We won summary judgment. Autozone appealed. Case is going to trail Nov. 2, 2009. Corporate strategy is definitely to keep this in the courts, so cost will drain the little guy. Corporate giants depend on winning with their resources. They’ll take a win regardless of principle.
Ben & Jerry’s has used to term Vermonster for their legendary Ice Cream Sunday for more than 20 years now. I fail to see how Monster, Inc. will have any legs to stand on given the phrases use in Vermont, for longer than the company’s been making energy drinks.
That’s true legally, but Monster has big bucks so they can drag it out in court which can be too expensive for small companies so they are forced to give in…..sad, really
If they are doing business legally then Monster should not step them. Because all the human being must have their own rights to live in the world as well as rights to do the legal business in the world.
The person who wrote the article we are commenting on obviously doesn’t know Vermont. We have many intra-state items named the Vermonster. It is a name long equated with the state. We use it to name big sundaes and other creations uniquely from Vermont.
We couldn’t care less about Monster or copying it.
Anything named Vermonster is Vermont!
So typical of big companies!! I’m sick of larger corporations bullying small businesses for their own profit. I’ll make sure to tell everyone I know NOT to purchase any more Monster products. Additionally, I’m never buying anything made by them again.
Especially in this economy, you’d think companies would really consider these types of moves prior to making them. Also, shame on lawyers who represent these larger companies for their own profit.
If anyone sues Vermonster Beer it’s the Natives of the Southwestern US for high-jacking their ancestors’ Kokopelli image for their beer label.