Jimi Hendrix Estate Sues Distillery for “Purple Haze Liqueur”

Experience Hendrix has filed a trademark infringement lawsuit against Tiger Paw Distributors, Private Label Distillery and Leon Hendrix, Jimi’s brother, for selling an alcohol product called “Purple Haze Liqueur.” Experience Hendrix v. Tiger Paw Distrib., No. 16-0642 (N.D. Ga., filed February 29, 2016).

Experience Hendrix, established by Jimi’s father and now owned by Jimi’s sister and cousin, alleges that Leon and his company are selling Purple Haze Liqueur and promoting it with Jimi’s image, which Experience Hendrix owns. According to the complaint, Leon was previously enjoined from selling Jimi Hendrix Electric Vodka, sold in a purple bottle, after 2007 trademark litigation. The company argues that it hold copyright protection for several of Jimi’s songs, including “Purple Haze” and “Voodoo Child (Slight Return).” In addition, the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office previously refused to grant trademark rights to Tiger Paw for marks related to Jimi Hendrix because they suggested a false connection to Jimi’s estate. Experience Hendrix seeks an injunction, destruction of the allegedly infringing products and damages.

Issue 596