MUSKEGON, Mich. - A battle is brewing between the "Party Rock" duo LMFAO and the Pigeon Hill Brewing Company over the name of a craft beer.
Pigeon Hill Brewing Company received a cease and desist letter from the band's attorneys on Friday, Aug. 7. The letter was sent from the New York-based law firm of Wuersch & Gering LLP, asking Pigeon Hill to change the name of their LMFAO Stout.
According to the band's attorneys, the brewery's LMFAO Stout may confuse the public to believe that the band somehow endorses or is related to the product.
Michael Brower, co-founder of the brewery, said the letter was sent to them after filing a federal trademark application to register the LMFAO Stout in connection with the beer.
“I found it a little bit humorous," said Brower. "I think it’s a bunk claim and there’s no merit to it. But after the humor subsided, I realized that there could be a serious potential case on our hands.”
LMFAO Stout, otherwise known as "Let Me Fetch An Oatmeal" Stout, was the first beer named by Pigeon Hill. Now, they're being asked to get rid of the name altogether.
Pigeon Hill has been given two weeks to reply, a request quickly granted by Brower who is also the Director of Legal and Marketing for the brewery.
"I’ve actually already written an initial response letter asking them to be patient as we talk to the community and find out what they feel and decide what next steps to take," said Brower.
The brewery is left with only two options: they can either change the name, or take this to court.
"Obviously we see it differently in the sense that we’re using this for beer, that’s what our mark is for," said Brower. "And they’re using it for live entertainment. No matter what happens, this beer is not going away. The name may change but the beer won't."
LMFAO Stout was essentially named by crowd sourcing on Facebook. Naturally, they're reaching out to the public again for their opinion on what they should do given these circumstances. Check out the brewery's Facebook page to chime in on the conversation.
