Kendall Jenner’s 818 Tequila company is being sued by Tequila 512 for ‘blatantly’ copying the company’s brand.
According to the lawsuit, 512 is suing 818 for trademark infringement, false designation of origin, and unfair competition. The suit points out the similarities between the two tequila brands.
For starters, 512 says 818 ripped off its “distinctive and immediately recognizable” logo and color scheme. The suit is referring to 512’s mark in black lettering written inside of a yellow rectangle.
“Out of the entire world of colors and shapes to use for product design. Defendant chose to copy Plaintiff’s distinctive black lettering inside a vertical yellow rectangle that has acquired so much goodwill over the years,” the lawsuit states.
The suit also mentions how closely related the two brands’ names are, which derives from area codes. 818 is a well-known northern Los Angeles area code, while 512 is a popular Austin area code.
“Out of the entire world of naming options open to it. Defendant chose a 3-digit brand name with a central one that, like Plaintiff’s 512, is a prominent area code,” the lawsuit continues.
512 claims 818 is attempting to steal their customers by confusing them into believing the two brands are the same.
“Either Defendant intentionally used Plaintiff’s bottle, hoping to further blur the lines between the two products, or Defendant was itself confused about the difference between the two brands,” the lawsuit mentions.
Nevertheless, Kendall isn’t personally being sued, but the company itself was named the defendant. 512 is asking for the production of the alcohol to be halted. They’re also requesting to get any profits 818 made from the tequila.
