Surfside Owner Sues Distillery Over Alcoholic Iced Tea Branding

Sweet Grace Distilling Co. LLC allegedly infringed Madaket LLC’s trademark by selling four flavors of “Surfside” branded alcoholic iced tea.

Madaket sued SGD in the US District Court for the District of Columbia on Monday, alleging the distilling company’s products infringe Madaket’s “Surfside” trademark in violation of the Lanham Act. Madaket also alleges false designation of origin and common law trademark infringement.

Madaket has operated a beach themed restaurant and bar concept under the “Surfside” name since at least 2008, and it acquired a word mark for “Surfside” in February 2016, the complaint said. The restaurant operator alleges it became ...