California Winery Challenges HBO’s Beer Trademark Application

Franciscan Vineyards has filed an opposition against Home Box Office,
Inc.’s (HBO’s) 2014 trademark application for “Three-Eyed Raven,” a
beer collaboration between HBO and Ommegang Brewery based on the
network’s “Game of Thrones” series. U.S. Trademark Application Serial
No. 86309080 (notice of opposition filed May 11, 2015). Franciscan owns
trademarks used by Ravenswood Winery, including “Ravens,” “Ravenswood”
and a drawing of three black ravens forming a circle. The winery
asserts that consumers are likely to be confused and challenged HBO’s
intention to use the “Three-Eyed Raven,” alleging that the company had
no intention to use the mark and, further, had committed fraud when it
told the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office that it did. Ommegang began
selling Three-Eyed Raven, its fifth collaboration with HBO, in April 2015.

Issue 566