The West Sixth Logo on the left is the subject of a law suit for claimed similarities to the Magic Hat logo on the right.
Lexington, KY – Earlier this week, Magic Hat filed a motion for preliminary injunction related to its lawsuit against Lexington-based West Sixth Brewery, stating that the local brewery has launched “a massive advertising effort and social media smear campaign” that have “irreparably harmed Magic Hat’s good will, trademarks, customer and other relationships, and sales.”
The motion, which was filed in U.S. District Court, states that West Sixth’s advertising campaign has used “false and misleading statements” that have prompted the brewery’s customers to inundate five Magic Hat e-mail accounts with 75,000 “insulting and abusive” e-mails, in addition to posting negative comments on Magic Hat’s Facebook page. The motion also claims that Magic Hat retailers have been pressured by West Sixth supporters to stop carrying Magic Hat’s products.
“West Sixth orchestrated the advertising campaign deliberately and with malice in a concerted effort to destroy Magic Hat,” the motion stated. “The false advertisements have caused enormous financial damage, as well as irreparable harm, to Magic Hat’s good will, customer relationships, and brands.”
In an email response to a request for comment on the motion, West Sixth co-owner Ben Self said that the recent allegations were “completely without merit,” and the company has not altered its social media efforts in any way as a result.