Distillery Drops Trademark Suit Against University of Kentucky

Kentucky Mist Moonshine has dropped a federal lawsuit against the University of Kentucky over trademarks.

James Francis, a lawyer for the eastern Kentucky distillery, tells the Lexington Herald-Leader the two sides are trying to work out an agreement. Kentucky Mist asked for the case to be dismissed without prejudice, meaning it can be filed again if necessary.

The Whitesburg distillery filed suit because UK threatened legal action to stop the company’s registration in a trademark category that includes hats, hooded sweatshirts, jackets, pants, shirts, shoes and socks.

The category is one in which UK claims use of the word “Kentucky” to identify its various articles of clothing sold to fans.

Kentucky Mist had asked the court to rule there’s no infringement by Kentucky Mist Moonshine’s use of the word “Kentucky.”