Monster Energy Wins Trial Over Reign Drink’s Ability to Confuse

Monster Energy Co. won a trademark infringement trial over its Reign energy drink, after a federal judge in Florida found the product is unlikely to be confused by consumers as being a can of competitor Vital Pharmaceuticals Inc.'s Bang.

Vital, doing business as VPX Sports, alleged Monster launched Reign as a “knockoff brand” to copy its drink.

Judge Roy K. Altman of the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida found in favor of Monster following a nine-day bench trial.

VPX failed to show Bang’s can is inherently unique or distinctive, the court said.

And VPX introduced “almost ...