In various watering holes here in Louisville, you may have enjoyed a beer from the fairly new craft brewery in Lexington called West Sixth Brewery. I know I happily sucked one down in a local restaurant this Sunday.
Today on Facebook, West Sixth shared that Magic Hat Brewery has filed a federal lawsuit against them for the similarity in their logos. West Sixth's logo was designed by the popular local Lexington business, Cricket Press. Cricket Press is known for designing posters for numerous well known acts that have come through our fair state including The Decemberists, My Morning Jacket, Ben Sollee, and many more. You can check out their work here.
The details from West Sixth's perspective can be found here, including links to an online petition if you are interested in taking action on their behalf. West Sixth reports that Magic Hat has not been responding to their efforts for civil discourse. Magic Hat started up as a small operation in Vermont and has since been resold several times. It is now owned by the international corporation Cerveceria Costa Rica.
Reporter Valarie Honeycutt Spears from Lexington's Herald Leader reported on the lawsuit this morning with the following:
Magic Hat is asking for an injunction to stop West Sixth from using the design, and the court to direct West Sixth to pay Magic Hat all profits made by West Sixth as a result of "its acts of unfair competition," the suit says. Additionally, Magic Hat is asking for a jury trial and damages including costs and attorneys' fees.
The lawsuit says West Sixth's use of "confusingly similar marks" is causing Magic Hat irreparable harm.
