Skip to main contentHood River-based Full Sail Brewing Company, brewer of Session Lager and other beers, is suing an Atlanta-based law firm called Sessions Law for trademark infringement and âirreparableâ business damage.
The case stems from the law firmâs use of a âSessions Lawâ logoâa dead ringer for the Session Lager trademarkâto advertise DUI defense services, including on brown paper-bag beer can covers. On July 8, the Oregon brewer filed a lawsuit in U.S. District Court in Portland, alleging four counts of federal and state crimes including trademark infringement of the diamond-shaped logo, trademark dilution for associating Session Lager with drunk driving, and jeopardizing business relations after Full Sail distributors allegedly voiced concern over the open-container concealing advertisements.
âSessions has unjustly profitedâ through the âintention of misleading, deceiving or confusing consumers as to the origin of its services and of trading on Full Sailâs reputation and goodwill,â the lawsuit says. The brewery seeks a trial to determine whether or not its eligible for up to three times the cost of damages and reparation for legal fees.
âI think the complaints speak for themselves,â said Full Sail attorney Charles DeVoe, noting that Sessions Law has now removed any traces of the logo in question from its website. Sessions Law declined to comment.
WWeek 2015