Hendrix and Tiger Paw reply to Purple Haze suit

Leon Hendrix and Tiger Paw Distributors have responded to the “completely false” Experience Hendrix lawsuit claims against Jimi Hendrix-inspired Purple Haze Liqueur, which “lack muster”.

Leon Hendrix, brother of Jimi Hendrix, has responded to allegations he is breaching copyrights with Purple Haze Liqueur

Kevin Chiaramonte, Paul Freundlich Associates (PFA), representing Leon Hendrix, told The Spirits Business Hendrix and his company filed a suit against Experience Hendrix in federal court in Seattle in November 2015 for making claims he and his companies have “no rights” to operate in Jimi Hendrix products.

However, Chiaramonte explained that regarding this particular lawsuit, Leon Hendrix is not at fault and that it is in fact to do with ex-licensees who went rogue several years ago.

Hendrix and his business partner Andrew Pitiscalis are allowed by federal law to license Jimi Hendrix themed merchandise materials, which was established before numerous court rulings and due to the fact his firms – Rockin Artwork and Purple Haze Properties – have been doing so for many years.

These products have been available in an array of retailers such as Wal Mart, Target, Kohls, Macys, and national product brands including Zippo and merchandisers like Global.

Experience Hendrix filed a lawsuit against Tiger Paw Distributors and Leon Hendrix arguing the pair’s Purple Haze Liqueur infringes rock star Jimi Hendrix’s trademark.

The lawyer of Joe Wallace, president and founder of Tiger Paw Distributors, commented on the suit highlighting that Tiger Paw owns the copyright in the Jimi Hendrix imagery used on the Purple Haze Liqueur bottle, “not substantially similar to any copyrighted material owned by Experience Hendrix”.

The lawyer said in a statement: “Experience Hendrix is left to rely on its trademark rights relating to alcoholic beverages, of which it admits it has none.

“The remainder of Experience Hendrix’s claims in the lawsuit similarly lack muster.

“While Experience Hendrix has a long litigation history, in many instances they overreached and were unsuccessful.

“Accordingly, Tiger Paw is looking forward to prevailing in court in the coming months.”

‘Completely false’ accusations

Wallace also released a statement commenting on the “completely false” accusations of alleged infringement by Hendrix Experience.

He said: “As it pertains to the false accusations of alleged copyright infringement made by Jimi Hendrix Experience, it is to be understood that all images are the legal property of Joe Wallace and licensed to Tiger Paw Beverages, providing 100% complete ownership of any and all images and materials, utilized, published, or disseminated.

“To suggest or insinuate otherwise is completely false.

“It should be noted that Leon Hendrix who’s been monetarily compensated prior and has absolutely nothing to do with this frivolous suit, has been a key supporter and his working relationship with Tiger Beverages in care of Jimi Hendrix Purple Haze Liqueur is kosher to say the least.

“This matter will not be addressed any further as it is now in the hands of our legal experts.

“We are looking forward to our day in court and putting this pointless debacle behind us.”