Vodka brand loses trademark battle with winery

Florida-based vodka maker White Oak Spirits has lost a trademark battle against a California winery of the same name.

White Oak Vodka has been ordered to rebrand after losing a trademark lawsuit, reports claim

As reported by Law360, a California federal judge has granted an injunction against the spirits group, blocking it from selling, marketing or advertising its White Oak Premium Vodka.

While White Oak Spirits argued that its trademark could coexist alongside White Oak Vineyards & Winery since the wine and spirits industries are “sufficiently distinct”, US district Judge Michael Fitzgerald said the law “does not see the distinction between wine and spirits”.

The defence claimed that since White Oak Vineyards & Winery was not a well-known brand, and so would not be harmed by the spirits firm’s trademark.

However, Judge Fitzgerald said the company was an “established commercial enterprise”. The vineyard itself, meanwhile, said it had sold millions of bottles over the past three years under the White Oak trademark.

White Oak Vineyard said the vodka maker’s “aggressive” marketing campaign – including the sponsorship of sporting events and restaurant – was likely to cause confusion among consumers.

White Oak Spirits has not yet responded to comment requests from The Spirits Business.