Canadian Company Pursues Moose Trademark: Trouble Brewing for Maine Beer Makers

As brewers and residents of Maine, whose state animal after all is a moose, this recent Bangor Daily News article about a large Canadian corporation chasing U.S. brewers with a trademark for "moose" is cause for concern. I know from my dealings with Maine brewers that potential disputes over product names are usually resolved peacefully and respectfully, but keep in mind that there are other, larger companies beyond our borders who don't necessarily take the same approach. It doesn't hurt, at the very least, to do a Google search when picking a new name for your brew, and the United States Patent and Trademark Office offers a free and simple registered trademark search tool that anyone can use. If you do find something that might present a problem or need assistance setting up your own protections, we are here to help. Contact a member of Verrill Dana's Breweries, Distilleries, and Wineries Group.