Guns N' Roses Sues Longmont Brewery Over Trademark Infringement

LOS ANGELES, CO – The band Guns N'Roses has sued a Longmont brewery alleging a trademark violation over the name and marketing of a craft beer.

The band sued Oskar Blues for selling and marketing a craft ale with the name "Guns ‘N’ Rosé" without permission.

The complaint was filed last week in federal court in Los Angeles, and says the beer branding and name in an attempt to "freeride off GNR’s goodwill, prestige, and reputation." The band's complaint alleges that the brewery is confusing beer buyers that the band has something to do with the rock group that includes singer Axl Rose, guitarist Slash and bassist Duff McKagan.

The beer is produced as part of the Canarchy Craft Brewery Collective.

The lawsuit claims that the brewery is also selling buttons and bandannas with the logo – and that "bandannas are uniquely associated with GNR and their lead singer and general partner Axl Rose." The brewery only sells bandannas connected with Guns N' Rose ale, and no other brand of beer, the suit alleges.

The band requests triple damages and a halt to sales of infringing products, the lawsuit said.

Oskar Blues gave up a trademark application for “Guns N Rose” but said it would keep selling Guns ‘N’ Rosé beer through March of 2020, according to court documents.

The beer is described by the company as “banding together sticky prickly pear and floral hibiscus with a subtle hop profile.”

Read the complaint here.