Monster Energy v. Monsta Pizza
2017 trademark claim
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Monster Energy v. Monsta Pizza was a 2017 trademark claim brought by Monster Energy against Monsta Pizza in Wendover, Buckinghamshire, in the UK Intellectual Property Office in 2017.[1]
Background
Monsta Pizza was founded in 2017. When the founders tried to register as trademark their pizza concept that involved a green monster, Monster Energy opposed their application and claimed, "Monsta element of the trademark is the dominant element and the word pizza is non-distinctive".[2][3][4] Monsta Pizza features a monster shared oven, which is also reflected in its logo.[5]
Outcome
After the Intellectual Property Office decided in favor of Monsta Pizza in August 2018, Monster Energy appealed to the Court of Appeal, who ruled in favor of Monsta Pizza.[5][6] The Court of Appeal rejected the bid "in its entirety."[5] Despite victory, the owners of Monsta Pizza stated that they suffered large expenses due to the legal action. They incurred £11,000 in total but claimed £2,860 back.[5]