Cointreau maker sues Canopy Growth over Quatreau drinks with similar sounding name
Posted Jul 21, 2021 10:22 am.
Last Updated Jul 21, 2021 10:30 am.
SMITHS FALLS, Ont. — Cointreau Corp. is suing Canopy Growth Corp. for trademark violations over the cannabis producer’s Quatreau line of sparking cannabidiol beverages.
Cointreau, which is pronounced Kwantro, says in a complaint and jury demand filed in a New York court on Friday that it believes Smiths Falls, Ont.-based Canopy is using the Quatreau name because it is similar to that of the orange liqueur company founded in 1849.
Cointreau says in court filings that is considering introducing waters and sodas to the U.S. market but worries that its brands will be mistaken for Canopy’s because they both end in ‘treau” and their pronunciation has only one differentiating letter, “n.”
Cointreau is seeking a permanent injunction to keep Canopy from infringing on its trademarks and wants any profits Canopy made on products with the allegedly infringing trademarks.
Canopy refused to comment on the lawsuit and Cointreau did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Canopy’s Quatreau drinks became available to U.S. customers in March, contain 20 milligrams of CBD and come in ginger and lime, cucumber and mint, blueberry and açaí, and passion fruit and guava flavours.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 21, 2021.
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