The On Reserve archive
For decades, the Robinson-Patman Act has been something of a sleeping giant in U.S. competition law. Enacted in 1936 to address concerns that large retail chains were receiving preferential pricing that put smaller businesses…
The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit recently issued a per curiam decision denying a petition for rehearing en banc in the Chicago Wine Co. v. Indiana case. This ruling upholds Indiana’s…
Vampire Family Brands, LLC, a Ventura County winemaker, recognized for wine brands like Dracula, Vampire, and Fangria, is taking legal action against an Australian vintner for what it believes to be an infringement of…
Today, the Supreme Court struck down on a Tennessee regulation that requires residency of two years for applicants applying for an in-state retail alcohol license. In a 7-2 decision, the Court reasoned that, while…
On Thursday, September 27, 2018, the Supreme Court granted cert to a new case involving Granholm-like issues for the alcohol beverage wholesale and retail tiers. See Certiorari Granted. The case, Tennessee Wine and Spirits vs. Byrd Clayton,…
As originally reported by the Napa Valley Register, two vineyard “houses” in Napa are currently in disagreement about the use of a similar name. See Lawsuit Claims Confusion Between 2 Napa ‘Vineyard Houses.’ Vineyard House Winery in Oakville…
Last week, San Antonio Express News reported that a California-based winery named San Antonio Winery brought a trademark suit against a San Antonio-based winery called Lara Vineyard. In its complaint, San Antonio Winery alleged that Lara…
The November/December 2015 issue of Vineyard & Winery Management magazine features one of my most recent articles, Label Lawsuit Lessons. The article details the implications the 2014 Supreme Court case POM Wonderful LLC v. Coca-Cola Co. may have on…
Last week, California District Court Judge Donato denied Union Wine Company’s motion to dismiss a suit launched against the wine company by FN Cellars, LLC. FN Cellars originally brought suit against Union Wine seeking (1)…
Willamette Valley Vineyards is suing Five Cent Farm, Inc., a neighboring farm. According to Statesman Journal, the lawsuit filed against Five Cent indicates that the Vineyard is claiming more than $400,000 in economic loss…
