Cocktail colossus Diageo is suing Stamford company Deutsch Family Wine & Spirits over the latter”™s Redemption brand of whiskey, claiming that it was “revised to closely mimic” the appearance of Diageo”™s Bulleit whiskey brand.
According to the suit, Redemption was redesigned from a long narrow cylinder-shaped bottle to a shorter, wider version with curved edges and the brand name above the label. Diageo is claiming that the revision infringes its trademark.
Diageo is seeking injunctive relief, destruction of infringing products, profits, damages and attorneys”™ fees.
“Diageo”™s lawsuit, linking Bulleit with our award-winning Redemption Whiskey, is devoid of any merit whatsoever,” replied Deutsch Family Wine & Spirits President Tom Steffanci. “The packaging for Redemption was thoughtfully designed to reflect and highlight a lawful trademark and to differentiate this whiskey. We will not only vigorously oppose Diageo”™s lawsuit, but we will also continue to defend the integrity of the Redemption brand against any unfair linkage and/or association with Bulleit, or any other competitive product.”
Deutsch was once based in White Plains.