CBD Coffee of Utah Sued by Coffee by Design Over CBD Trademark Infringement Name

Coffee by Design is a Portland-based coffee roaster is suing Utah-based companies Desert Lake Group and 4Bush Holdings, LLC both d/b/a CBD Coffee, for allegedly infringing upon its trademark. The complaint, filed in a federal court in Maine alleges that CBD Coffee of Utah has been promoting its products through the use of trademarks owned by Coffee by Design. Coffee by Design, whose trademark features the letters “CBD” does not sell CBD-infused products.

The complaint, which one can view through the link above, provides images of the Coffee by Design logo and explains the basis for the similarities between its trademarked logo and the terms CBD.

Mary Allen Lindermann, Coffee by Design’s co-owner, had initially sent demand letters to many CBD companies that described their products infused with hemp as “CBD coffee.” She alleges that the phrase “CBD coffee” is protected by a federally registered trademark.

She shared in a Press Herald article, “All that we ask is that they say CBD extract. A bit further clarification, so that the consumers know that they’re buying coffee that has cannabis in it and not Coffee by Design.” She also stated that she has “nothing against” products infused with cannabis. Rather, the purpose of the trademark suit is to reduce confusion among consumers.