Playboy Takes Another Hit in Energy Drink Feud

SALT LAKE CITY — Playboy Enterprises has taken another hit in its trademark battle with CirTran Corporation and its Play Beverages partner.

The Circuit Court of Cook County, Illinois ruled this week in favor of the beverage companies and their senior executives.

The Hon. Kathleen M. Pantle dismissed all claims brought by Playboy against CirTran Corporation, and personally against CirTran President Iehab J. Hawatmeh and fellow senior executive Fadi Nora. Judge Pantle's ruling focused on Playboy’s inability to plead facts sufficient to state a claim against these parties under Illinois law. She allowed Playboy the opportunity to file an amended complaint if Playboy can honestly assert facts that would allow Playboy to pierce the corporate veil.

This was the seventh time in as many rulings (since December 2012) that CirTran and its partners have won in court against Playboy.

In a related matter, Judge Pantle granted CirTran and its Play Beverages partners’ motion to compel Jimmy Esebag and United Licensing Group to respond to discovery requests and deposition questions, finding that Esebag and Playboy’s legal counsel engaged in obstructionist conduct by refusing to produce relevant evidence and testimony. Judge Pantel also reserved on awarding fees and sanctions against Esebag and Playboy for a later date.

“While we have spent too much time in court battling seemingly never-ending yet fruitless charges brought by Playboy, we are delighted to again have the court rule in our favor,” Hawatmeh said.

“Beverage distribution continues to be the flagship of our product line,” he added, “and we are moving ahead with sales and distribution of Playboy Energy Drink with the famous rabbit trademark, in 20 countries in Asia, the Middle East, Africa, the U.S., South America, Europe and Canada.”

In response to the ruling, Playboy told XBIZ, "The court ruled that Playboy's claims are not barred by Play Beverages' previous bankruptcy proceedings. This ruling is yet another recognition that the 'foundational asset' of Play Beverages and CirTran Beverage Corp is the very license that Playboy has asserted is terminated. Playboy Enterprises intends to provide additional detail in the litigation to demonstrate that, along with Play Beverages, CirTran Corporation and its principals Iehab Hawatmeh and Fadi Nora are infringing on the Playboy trademarks, have no continuing rights to use the Playboy brand and have no further business in Playboy energy drinks."

Related:  

Copyright © 2024 Adnet Media. All Rights Reserved. XBIZ is a trademark of Adnet Media.
Reproduction in whole or in part in any form or medium without express written permission is prohibited.

More News

Justices Alito, Thomas Invoke Victorian-Era Morality Law, Raising Censorship Concerns

Several national publications reported this week on widespread concern among Free Speech advocates after U.S. Supreme Court Justices Samuel Alito and Clarence Thomas repeatedly invoked during a hearing the infamous segregation-era law the Comstock Act, which was the cornerstone of U.S. censorship of sexual material from the 1870s until the 1970s.

TeamSkeet Releases 1st Installment of 'Ripe for the Taking'

TeamSkeet has released the first installment of its latest feature, "Ripe for the Taking," starring TeamSkeet March AllStar Scarlett Alexis.

LELO Launches 'Masturbitter' Craft Beer to Promote Male Sex Talk

LELO has partnered with Great Beyond Brewing Company to launch Masturbitter, a craft beer, to encourage men to discuss sex.

Pineapple Support Taps Kasey Kei as Brand Ambassador

Pineapple Support has named veteran performer and content creator Kasey Kei as its latest brand ambassador.

Nebraska AV Bill Moves Forward Despite Privacy, Free Speech Concerns

Nebraska’s unicameral Legislature has given first-round approval to LB 1092, the state’s version of the age verification bills being sponsored around the country by anti-porn religious conservative activists.

Eva Maxim, Katrina Colt Headline 'Cumming to LA' From Cherry Kiss

Eva Maxim and Katrina Colt star with Vince Karter in 2021 XBIZ Europas Female Performer of the Year Cherry Kiss' "Cumming to L.A.," from Evil Angel.

Performers in Meta Blacklisting Lawsuit Seek to Preserve Antitrust Claims

Adult Performance Artists Guild board officers Alana Evans, Kelly Pierce and Ruby have informed a California court that, although they want to drop their lawsuit claiming that Meta conspired with OnlyFans to blacklist rival premium fan platforms’ talent, they may still pursue antitrust claims in the future.

Xgen Now Shipping ZOLO's 'Stroke Off' Collection

Xgen Products is now shipping the Stroke Off collection of 11 handheld strokers and four masturbators modeled after lifelike body parts.

Nobü Unveils 'Gyrä' Vibrating Grinding Pad

Nobü has introduced the new Gyrä vibrating grinding pad.

Orion Introduces New 3-Motor Vibrator From 'Sweet Smile' Line

Orion Wholesale has debuted the new three-motor RC G- & P-Spot Vibrator from its Sweet Smile line.

Show More