'Blues Brothers' Star's Vodka Company Sues Palatine Importer

PALATINE, IL — A Palatine spirits importer and a Mexican tequila maker are at the center of a trademark lawsuit filed by Globefill, the vodka company owned by"Blues Brothers" and "Ghostbusters" star Dan Aykroyd, according to the Chicago Tribune. According to the news report. Canada-based Globefill is suing Mexican tequila maker Matatena Spirits and Stoller imports, claiming the skull design for the Mucha Liga Tequila bottle design is too similar to Aykroyd's Crystal Head Vodka bottle.

However, according to U.S. Patent and Trademark Office records, both liquor companies have trademarked their bottle designs, the Tribune reported.

Aykroyd founded Crystal Head in 2007. The bottle was reportedly the creation of artist John Alexander and made by Milan-based glass-manufacturer Bruni Glass. According to the Crystal Head website, which claims the vodka is filtered through "layers of semi-precious crystals known as Herkimer diamonds," Aykroyd and Alexander "wanted to craft a vessel worthy of one of the world’s purest vodkas. A symbol of life, reflecting power and enlightenment, to hold their award-winning white spirit of super natural purity."

Crystal Head's parent company Globefill is asking that the tequila maker stop using the skull bottle design and is seeking damages, attorneys’ fees and a jury trial.