Rock Art Wins “Monster” Battle!
Late in the day on Wednesday Rock Art Brewery, makers of “The Vermonster” beer, and Hansen Beverage Company, makers of Monster energy drinks, reached an agreement that will allow Rock Art to continue to use the name “Vermonster” for its beer, so long as it stays out of the energy drink market.
Matt Nadeau, Rock Art owner, is ecstatic, but is still adamant that there needs to be additional trademark reform that would prevent similar situations (big corporation bullies abusing the small business owners) from happening in the future.
The month-long battle was fought on two fronts… Rock Art and the lawyers fighting the legal battle against Hansen in the courts and the very public battle waged on-line and in the media by craft brewers and other concerned individuals. Hansen had their hands full on both fronts. It quickly became evident, to many, that Hansen’s legal pursuit of the Vermontster name was probably not going to hold up in court and, perhaps more significantly, Hansen’s reputation as a beverage manufacturer began to take a real beating in the marketplace as beverage retailers, distributors and tens of thousands of everyday consumers rallied against Hansen’s efforts against Rock Art.
Stay tuned for an official statement from Rock Art at their Web site… http://www.rockartbrewery.com/
It’s nice to see the little guy win for a change… and justifiably so! Thanks everyone for your help in winning this epic battle against “evil”!!
2 Comments to “Rock Art Wins “Monster” Battle!”
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Go Vermont! I didn’t realize this was stirring such the pot nationally. It certainly was the talk of the town beer-wise in Burlington, VT. Why didn’t Hansen sue Ben & Jerry’s for also having a “Vermonster” product. Or why aren’t Ben & Jerry’s and Rock Art suing each other?! There’s also an audio equpment company called Monster Cables, Monster.com (who was sued by Monster Cables and lost).
Anyway, Rock Art may not have the best beer in Vermont, the beer in question isn’t all that great IMO, but my hat goes off for the absolute courage and social mission the brewer and owner at Rock Art had against Hansen. It takes a lot for someone to stand up when all he had to do to make everything go away was rename the product. I may have to buy a 6-pack of Ridge Runner or White Tail to congratulate.
[...] battle last year with the company that produces Monster energy drinks (see Rock Art vs. Monster and Rock Art Wins “Monster” Battle). The very large company had taken Rock Art to court in an attempt to try to stop them from using [...]