Tesla, the electric-car company controlled by Musk, has filed a trademark application for Teslaquila, and tweeted a mock-up of a Teslaquila bottle label Oct. 12.
Mexico’s Tequila Regulatory Council (CRT), which represents native tequila producers and upholds strict standards for the liquor, opposes the trademark application, Reuters reported. The council argues that tequila is a “protected word” that can only be used if Musk produces “Teslaquila” in Mexico and adheres to other restrictions.
“If it wants to make Teslaquila viable as a tequila it would have to associate itself with an authorized tequila producer, comply with certain standards and request authorization from Mexico’s Industrial Property Institute,” the CRT said in a statement obtained by Reuters. “Otherwise it would be making unauthorized use of the denomination of origin for tequila.”
It couldn’t be immediately determined if Musk had filled a COLA application with Alcohol & Tobacco Tax & Trade Bureau.