Diageo victorious in Crown Royal legal battle

Diageo has won a trademark lawsuit over its Crown Royal brand against a smaller Canadian whisky rival.

A Texas court has sided with Diageo in a trademark battle over its Crown Royal Canadian whisky brand

In February 2013, UK drinks group Diageo began legal action against Texas-based Mexcor, maker of Texas Crown Club, for commercial slander.

The group accused Mexcor of creating “unlawful and disparaging whisky advertisements” by referring to a product which looks like Crown Royal as “that poison”, therefore “intentionally and knowingly harming the brand’s reputation”.

The firm then accused Mexcor of trademark infringement, claiming the Crown Club whisky range, which also includes South Carolina Crown Club and Florida Crown Club, copies its own registered trademark and purple bag packaging.

Mexcor has been ordered to pay damages to Diageo and change the name and packaging of its Crown Club whisky range

Diageo released a statement today claiming that a Texas court had ordered Mexcor’s Crown Club to change its name and packaging, and also pay damages.

“We are pleased that the jury agreed with us that Mexcor has been confusing our consumers and diluting the strength of our Crown Royal brand, and that they will now have to change their name and packaging,” said Nicole D’Amato, director and senior counsel for intellectual property at Diageo North America.

“We are also gratified that the jury has backed up their verdict by awarding damages to Diageo. We take the protection of our brands and intellectual property extremely seriously and will work diligently to protect them.”

Mexcor could not be immediately reached for comment.