Diageo Sues Admiral Nelson’s Rum for Trademark Infringement
Diageo has moved for a legal action against Heaven Hill’s Admiral Nelson’s rum over claims that it was infringing on the trademark of Diageo’s Captain Morgan rum. The lawsuit regarding the matter was filed by the liquor giant at the Federal Court of Canada on Wednesday, 26 March, 2014, against the Heaven Hill Distilleries, based in the US which owns brands like Elijah Craig and Evan Williams Bourbons.
The lawsuit accuse the Admiral Nelson’s brand of intentionally trying to mimic the Captain Morgan brand using a similar historical character in an attempt to create confusion among the customer and thereby trading upon the brand’s goodwill, and serving to “dilute” the Captain Morgan rum trademark.
In a statement, vice president of marketing for Diageo Canada, Iain Chalmers said that Diageo appreciates healthy competition and understands that it is good for the customers as well as for the entire industry; however, he said that they are strongly against competitors copying their label design and reiterated that they will fight these type of infringements wherever they can.
Captain Morgan is currently the largest spiced rum producer in the world with an overall global production of more than 19.8 million cases, and it is also the leading spiced rum producer in Canada.
Heaven Hill declined to give any comment regarding the matter.
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