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NORTHERN CALIFORNIA RECORD

Friday, March 29, 2024

Wineries claim Stags' Leap Winery, Wine World Estates allegedly engaged in false advertising

Trademark 08

SAN FRANCISCO — Two Napa Valley and Washinton wineries have filed suit against other wineries for alleged trademark infringement and false advertising.

Stag's Leap Wine Cellars LLC and Ste. Michelle Wine Estates LTD filed a complaint Aug. 26 in U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California against Treasury Wine Estates Americas Co., doing business as Stags' Leap Winery and Wine World Estates, alleging that the Delaware corporation utilized unfair methods of competition and deceptive trade practices.

According to the complaint, the plaintiffs allege that they have suffered from irreparable harm and damage to their trade reputation and goodwill as a result of the defendants' actions of using "The Stag" name and adopting the apocryphal legend of the Stags Leap District and Napa Valley appellations. 

The plaintiffs hold Treasury Wine Estates Americas Co., doing business as Stags' Leap Winery, and Wine World Estates responsible because the defendants allegedly gained profit from trading on the plaintiffs' reputation, reportedly deceived consumers of their product's true origin and supposedly caused dilution by blurring the quality of the famous trademarks belonging to the plaintiffs.

The plaintiffs request a trial by jury and seek judgment against the defendants, injunctive relief, order to destroy infringing products, costs of corrective advertising, accounting of all amounts due, damages, costs of this action, attorneys’ fees and further relief as the court deems just. They are represented by Susan N. Acquista of DLA Piper LLP in San Diego and Ann K. Ford and John M. Nading of DLA Piper LLP in Washington.

U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California case number 16-cv-04922

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