Category Archives: Litigation

TTB Accepts $28.6 Million to Settle $40.3 Million Claim Against Distiller

Posted on May 11, 2021 by Joel Whitaker

Levecke Corp., Mira Loma, Calif., was accused of miscalculation Sec. 5010 flavor credits, unexplained inventory shortages, and failure to timely file and pay exise taxes, improper use of CNMA credit, and insufficient documentation of exports.

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Judge Strikes Down Indiana Limit on Out-of-State Bar/Eatery Owners

Posted on April 7, 2021 by Joel Whitaker

Indiana can no longer enforce a statutory provision requiring out-of-state owners of bars and restaurants to gross more than $100,000 in food sales each year to have an Indiana alcohol permit. Senior Judge Sarah Evans Barker of the federal district … Continue reading →

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Jackson Family Wines Says Gallo Infringed La Creama Trademark

Posted on April 6, 2021 by Joel Whitaker

Calling its product “Cask & Cream” creates consumer confusion with Jackson’s La Crema trademark, the company asserted in a complaint filed in federal district court. From fiscal 2016 to fiscal 2020, Jackson Family Wines (JFW) sold more than 80 million … Continue reading →

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Appeals Court Upholds Missouri Limit on Direct Shipping

Posted on February 17, 2021 by Joel Whitaker

A Federal appeals court upheld Missouri’s prohibition on out-of-state retailers shipping bev/al directly to Missouri consumers. The decision was praised by Wine & Spirits Wholesalers of America President Michelle Korsmo: “We commend the opinion handed down by the 8th Circuit in the Sarasota Wine … Continue reading →

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ABI Sues CBrands Over Corona Hard Seltzer Trade Mark

Posted on February 15, 2021 by Joel Whitaker

Grupo Modelo, the Mexican unit of Anheuser-Busch InBev, sued Constellation Brands saying it improperly used the Corona brand on hard seltzer.  ABI claims when it granted a perpetual license to CBrands to use the Corona name, the grant applied only to beer, not … Continue reading →

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Judge Calls A-B’s Ads for Michelob Ultra Hard Seltzer ‘Deceptive’

Posted on February 10, 2021 by Joel Whitaker

“Truth matters,” U.S. District Court Judge Michael H. Simon wrote in issuing a temporary restraining order against Anheuser-Busch for its advertisements for Michelob Ultra Hard Seltzer.  The ads say the seltzer is “the only” or “the first” “national USDA certified hard … Continue reading →

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