The distiller’s lawyer asserts that the toy represents a blatant infringement on its trademark, taking advantage of the hard-earned goodwill associated with the Jack Daniel’s brand.
A side-by-side comparison of a Jack Daniels bottle and a “Bad Spaniel” toy shows a close resemblance between the high-end brand and the parody toy. And further supports the whiskey brand’s claims.
The Supreme Court ultimately ruled in favor of Jack Daniel’s, aligning with the esteemed whiskey.
The legal battle traces back to 2014 when Brown-Forman Corp., the Kentucky-based owner of Jack Daniel’s, initially demanded that VIP Products cease selling the pet toy. VIP Products, based in Phoenix, filed a lawsuit against the whiskey company, resulting in Jack Daniel’s winning the initial round in court but losing the subsequent appeal in 2020.
This case may hold potential significance for other major consumer brands that have been satirized by VIP Products, such as Coke with its “Canine Cola” red can toy and Guinness beer with its “Pissness” bottle toy, which humorously depicts a dog lifting its leg on a fire hydrant.
