LIV Golf sued by Long Island Vodka distillery over trademark | The Straits Times

NEW YORK, March 25 – LIV Golf has been sued by the New York distillery Long Island Vodka, which accused the Saudi Arabia-backed men’s golf tour of “swamping” its brand, confusing consumers and depressing sales by selling LIV-branded alcohol and apparel that infringes its trademark. Founded in 2007 in a horse barn on Long Island’s North Fork, Long Island Vodka said it produces liqueurs, whiskeys and cocktails, as well as its flagship LíV vodka made from local potatoes, and sells its own branded t-shirts, hats and other clothing. In a complaint filed on Monday, the Baiting Hollow, New York-based distillery accused LIV Golf of “blatant trademark infringement” through partnerships with businesses such as Treasury Wine Estates and DAOU Vineyards, and promoting drinks such as LIV Clubhouse Cooler, LIV Transfusion Cocktail and LIV It Up Bloody Mary in ads and at tournaments. “Distributors, retailers, hospitality partners, and consumers have already experienced actual confusion about whether the LíV brand has affiliated with LIV Golf,” the complaint said. “Consumers’ mistaken belief that LIV is in league with a highly controversial and heavily commercialized venture backed by an immense foreign sovereign wealth fund is antithetical to the authentic, pioneering, craft spirit LíV brand that
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