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Johnny Cash Estate V Cash Brewing Company
Johnny Cash Estate V Cash Brewing Company
COMPLAINT
Plaintiff John R. Cash Revocable Trust (“Plaintiff’ or the “Trust”), by its attorneys, Loeb
& Loeb LLP, as and for its Complaint against defendant Cash Brewing Company Inc.
1. This is an action for (i) trademark infringement, false designation of origin, and
unfair competition in violation of Sections 32 and 43(a) of the Lanham Act, 15 U.S.C. §§ 1114,
1125(a); (ii) violation of rights of publicity pursuant to the Tennessee Personal Rights Protection
Act (Tenn. Code Ann. § 47-25-1101 et seq.); (iii) unfair competition in violation of the Tennessee
Consumer Protection Act (Tenn. Code Ann. § 47-18-101 et seq.); (iv) and common law trademark
infringement. The Trust owns common law and federally-registered trademarks associated with
the renowned musical artist Johnny Cash. The Trust also owns the full right, title, and interest to
2. Upon information and belief, Defendant owns and operates a restaurant and
brewery under the name Cash Brewing Company (“CBC”), located in Silverdale, Washington.
3. Defendant’s intentional use of the Cash name in connection with marketing and
promotional activities to draw attention to its business is apparent on several fronts, including:
(i) claims on Defendant’s website (www.cashbrewing.com) and social media pages that
Defendant’s owners are distant relatives of Johnny Cash, and that CBC draws “influence from
their cousin, Johnny Cash”; (ii) Defendant’s promotion and sale of a beer named “The Can in
Black” (a blatant reference to Mr. Cash’s famous moniker, “The Man in Black”) while making
reference to “walking the line” (a blatant reference to Mr. Cash’s famous hit single “I Walk the
Line”); (iii) Defendant’s release of “The Can in Black” beer on September 12 to coincide with Mr.
Cash’s day of passing; (iv) Defendant’s hosting of Johnny Cash “musical tribute” events featuring
Johnny Cash impersonators and promoting CBC’s “The Can in Black” beer also on September 12;
(v) Defendant’s use of plaques featuring musical records as displays to promote its products; (iv)
Defendant’s use of music paraphernalia featuring Johnny Cash; (vii) Defendant’s promotion and
sale of merchandise prominently featuring the CASH mark in a manner that is emphasized in larger
size than surrounding text, including at events that feature Johnny Cash tribute bands; and
(viii) Defendant’s use of an identical font style that mirrors the presentation of “CASH” on Mr.
4. The Trust is charged with the responsibility of ensuring that the name, likeness,
trademarks and other indicia of Johnny Cash are not used in a manner that is likely to cause
confusion or mistake in the marketplace. The Defendant’s use of the name, likeness, and persona
of Johnny Cash is without permission or authorization from the Trust. Defendant’s actions are
likely to confuse consumers as to the origin of Defendant’s goods and/or services by creating the
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false impression that Defendant is associated with the Trust. Defendant’s actions constitute
law. Defendant’s actions also constitute the use and infringement of the name, likeness, and
persona of Johnny Cash for the purposes of advertising and providing goods and services without
the prior consent of the Trust in violation of Tenn. Code Ann. § 47-25-1105(a) and deceptive trade
practices in violation of Tenn. Code Ann. § 47-18-104. In order to protect the aforementioned
rights of the Trust, the Trust is entitled to injunctive relief, an award of damages in an amount to
PARTIES
5. The John R. Cash Revocable Trust is a trust established under the laws of the State
of Tennessee with its principal place of business located at 3941 Woodlawn Drive, Nashville,
Tennessee 37205. The trustee for the John R. Cash Revocable Trust is Catherine Sullivan.
Washington corporation with its principal place of business located at 3388 NW Byron Street,
Section 43(a) of the Lanham Act, codified at 15 U.S.C. §§ 1125(a)(1)(A), 1114, as well as claims
for trademark infringement, violation of the right of publicity, and unfair competition under
Tennessee state law. The state law causes of action arise from a case and controversy concerning
trademarks under the Lanham Act. This Court has subject matter jurisdiction over these claims
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8. This Court also has subject matter jurisdiction over the Trust’s state law causes of
action based on diversity of citizenship pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1332. There is complete diversity
of citizenship among the parties, and the amount in controversy with respect to each of the Trust’s
state law claims exceeds the sum or value of $75,000, exclusive of interest and costs.
9. This Court has personal jurisdiction over Defendant because its wrongful conduct,
including trademark infringement and violation of the right of publicity, caused injury to the Trust
within the Middle District of Tennessee. The Trust owns the trademarks that Defendant infringed
and owns the publicity rights that Defendant violated. The Trust’s principal place of business is
within this judicial district, therefore the harm alleged occurred here.
10. Defendant has purposefully and systematically sought to associate itself and its
products and services with Johnny Cash, who is strongly associated with the Nashville country
music scene, including by hosting Johnny Cash “tribute” events featuring performances by Johnny
Cash impersonators, and offering and promoting “The Can in Black” beer as Defendant’s “Johnny
11. Upon information and belief, Defendant has distributed and/or intends to distribute,
directly and/or through affiliated entities, infringing “Cash”-branded products, including beer and
12. Based on Defendant’s concerted efforts to profit by its association with Mr. Cash
and the Nashville country music industry, there is more than adequate basis for the Court to
13. Venue is proper in this judicial district pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1391(b)(2) because
a substantial part of the events giving rise to the Trust’s claims, including without limitation, the
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injury caused by Defendant’s infringement and violation of the Trust’s publicity rights, occurred
in this district.
FACTS
A. The Johnny Cash Trademarks and Publicity Rights Owned by the Trust
14. John R. Cash (hereafter, “Johnny Cash”) is one of the most successful and
recognizable recording artists in the history of popular music. He is one of the best-selling music
artists of all time, having sold more than 90 million records worldwide. The breadth and influence
of his work are reflected by, among other things, his induction into each of the Country Music,
Rock and Roll, and Gospel Music Halls of Fame. His death in 2003 has not diminished his fame
and notoriety. He continues to be known, celebrated, and identified around the world as the
legendary “Man in Black.” His life and career are the stuff of pop culture legend and have, in
recent years, been the subject of books, documentaries, and the motion picture “Walk the Line,”
15. The Trust owns all right, title, and interest in and to the marks associated with
Johnny Cash, including, without limitation, statutory and common law rights in and to JOHNNY
16. The Trust owns several U.S. trademark registrations for the CASH Trademarks
covering a wide variety of products and services including, among others, the following:
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Mark Reg. No. Classes
MAN IN BLACK 5,353,125 16
CASH 5,955,840 25
CASH 5,961,794 9
17. The registrations listed in paragraph 16 are valid, subsisting, in full force and effect.
Several of the registrations are incontestable, including U.S. Registration Nos. 2,255,134;
2,320,174; 2,322,903; 2,322,904; 3,611,476 and 4,249,139, thus serving as conclusive evidence of
the validity of the marks and of the Trust’s exclusive right to use the marks in connection with the
18. The Trust also owns several approved U.S. trademark applications for the CASH
Trademarks covering a variety of products and services including, among others, the following:
19. True and correct printouts from the United States Patent and Trademark Office
20. The Trust also owns all right, title, and interest in the name, likeness, and persona
21. The Trust has continually engaged in the commercial exploitation of the CASH
Trademarks and the Cash Rights of Publicity since Johnny Cash’s death on September 12, 2003.
The Trust’s extensive use and commercial exploitation of these rights has been in the form of,
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among other things, the management of an extensive licensing program, involvement in the
licensed operation of the Johnny Cash Museum (located in Nashville, Tennessee), maintenance of
Johnny Cash merchandise (CASH Shop), including apparel, hats and drinkware (Exhibit 3), and
the operation of “Johnny Cash’s Kitchen & Saloon,” a restaurant, bar and live music venue located
22. Defendant is operating and promoting its restaurant and brewery, and the goods and
services sold and offered in connection therewith, using the name, likeness, and persona of Johnny
Cash, without the Trust’s authorization, to draw an express association between Mr. Cash and
23. Defendant owns and operates Cash Brewing Company, a bar and restaurant and
brewery, through which it produces and markets a line of “Cash”-branded beer, and markets and
sells “Cash”-branded merchandise including apparel, hats and barware. (Exhibit 4).
24. Defendant’s conduct evidences an intent to associate itself with Johnny Cash and
trade off of the Cash name and brand the Cash name and the goodwill associated therewith.
25. Defendant has boasted on its website, cashbrewing.com (the “CBC Website”) and
social media pages that Defendant’s owners are distant relatives of Johnny Cash, and that CBC
draws “influence from their cousin, Johnny Cash,” while displaying music paraphernalia featuring
Johnny Cash in the CBC restaurant/brewery and in promoting CBC’s goods and services. (Exhibit
5).
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26. Defendant’s marketing and advertising for CBC prominently emphasizes the name
“Cash” and uses a font style that mirrors the presentation of “CASH” on Mr. Cash’s sound
recordings:
27. Defendant has promoted and sold beer under the name “The Can in Black” -
admittedly in reference to Johnny Cash’s well-known moniker, the “Man in Black — through and
in connection with the Cash Brewing Company brewery and restaurant. (Exhibit 6). Defendant’s
advertising for “The Can in Black” beer identifies it as “our Johnny Cash beer,” and “a beer we
produced as a tribute to Johnny Cash,” and refers to “walking the line” and prominently features
guitar silhouettes reminiscent of guitars used by and associated with Mr. Cash.
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Examples of Defendant’s Use:
Side-by-side comparison of Defendant’s use (left) and Johnny Cash’s guitar (right)
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28. Upon information and belief, Defendant timed its release of “The Can in Black”
beer to coincide with Mr. Cash’s day of passing, September 12. (Exhibit 7)
29. Defendant has hosted Johnny Cash-themed events, including “CASH - A Musical
Tribute” featuring a Johnny Cash impersonator referred to as “The Dan in Black,” featuring CBC’s
“The Can in Black” beer, and billed as “an evening on live music honoring the passing of Johnny
30. Defendant markets and sells merchandise prominently featuring the CASH mark in
a manner that is emphasized in larger size than surrounding text, including at events that feature
Johnny Cash tribute bands, and uses plaques featuring musical records as displays to promote its
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31. Defendant advertises and promotes CBC and its products and services in interstate
commerce and to the general public through the CBC Website as well as social media accounts,
including a Facebook page (“Cash Brewing Company,” associated with the tag @cashbrewing,
32. On December 13, 2017, Defendant filed a U.S. trademark application (Serial No.
87/719,387) for the mark THE CAN IN BLACK for beer in Class 32, alleging a date of first use
in commerce of September 10, 2016, which application was granted registration on the
Supplemental Register on May 22, 2018 (Reg. No. 5,477,508) (Exhibit 9). Defendant voluntarily
surrendered that registration in April 2019 following receipt of the Trust’s cease and desist letters.
33. On December April 15, 2016, Defendant filed a U.S. trademark application (Serial
No. 87/002,370) for CASH BREWING COMPANY for hats, shirts, sweatshirts, t-shirts, tank-tops
in Class 25, alleging a date of first use anywhere of April 2, 2013, and a date of first use in
commerce of January 23,2017; and beer in Class 32, alleging a date of first use anywhere of April
2,2013, and a date of first use in commerce of May 3,2015. Defendant’s application was granted
registration with a disclaimer of “Brewing Company,” on March 28, 2017 (Reg. No. 5,173,014)
(Exhibit 10).
34. Upon information and belief, Defendant or an affiliate of Defendant has used or
intends to use the mark CASH DISTILLING COMPANY, and filed a U.S. trademark application
(Serial No. 88/038,622) on or about July 16, 2018 for CASH DISTILLING COMPANY for hats,
shirts, sweatshirts, t-shirts, tank-tops in Class 25, and distilled spirits in Class 33.
35. The Trust served cease and desist letters on Defendant wherein the Trust provided
notice of its rights in and to and ownership of the CASH Trademarks and Cash Rights of Publicity,
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outlined Defendant’s infringing and wrongful conduct and demanded, among other things, that
Defendant and demanded that Defendant cease its unauthorized use of the CASH Trademarks and
Cash Rights of Publicity, refrain from drawing any further association with Johnny Cash, and
provide an accounting.
36. Defendant has not ceased its unauthorized use of the CASH Trademarks and the
37. Despite numerous attempts by the Trust to explain why the Trust legally cannot
allow such continued unauthorized use, and good faith efforts by the Trust to obtain Defendant’s
cooperation without the necessity of resorting to litigation, Defendant has refused to cease its
unauthorized conduct.
CAUSES OF ACTION
COUNT I
FEDERAL TRADEMARK INFRINGEMENT
38. The Trust repeats and realleges each of the allegations set forth in paragraphs 1
39. Defendant’s unauthorized use of the CASH Trademarks in connection with goods
and services that are identical or closely related to goods and services provided or authorized by
the Trust under the CASH Trademarks is likely to cause confusion, mistake or deception among
the consuming public as to the source of Defendant’s products and services, or result in the belief
that Defendant or its products or services is legitimately connected with, sponsored, licensed or
otherwise approved by the Trust. Consumers are likely to be misled into believing that
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Defendant’s products or services are licensed by, sponsored by, approved by, or otherwise
40. Defendant was on both actual and constructive notice of the Trust ’ s exclusive rights
in the registered CASH Trademarks prior to its unauthorized and unlawful use of the CASH
Trademarks.
41. On information and belief, Defendant has acted with full knowledge of the Trust’s
use of, and statutory and common law rights in and to, the CASH Trademarks, and without regard
to the likelihood of confusion of the public created by those activities. Defendant’s use of the
CASH Trademarks is willful, in bad faith, and with full knowledge of the goodwill and reputation
associated with the CASH Trademarks, and with full knowledge that Defendant has no right,
license, or authority to use the CASH Trademarks or any other mark confusingly similar thereto.
U.S.C. § 1125(a).
44. Defendant has made and is making false representations, false descriptions, and
§ 1125(a) that are causing and, unless enjoined by this Court, will continue to cause a likelihood
of confusion and deception of members of the consuming public and to injure the Trust’s good
45. Defendant’s acts are intended to reap the benefit of the valuable goodwill associated
with the CASH Trademarks that belongs to the Trust and constitute infringement of the Trust’s
federally registered trademarks in violation the Trademark Laws of the United States, 15 U.S.C.
§1114(1).
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46. Defendant’s conduct has caused and is causing immediate and irreparable injury to
the Trust and, unless enjoined by this Court, will continue to both damage the Trust and deceive
47. Pursuant to 15 U.S.C. § 1116, the Trust seeks a preliminary and permanent
48. Defendant’s acts of trademark infringement have damaged the Trust in an amount
to be determined at trial. Pursuant to 15 U.S.C. § 1117, the Trust is entitled to, among other things,
seek Defendant’s profits, actual damages, and costs of this action and such additional relief as may
49. Defendant’s acts of trademark infringement have been and continue to be deliberate
and willful and warrant an award of enhanced damages. Accordingly, the Trust is entitled to and
seeks a finding that this case is exceptional and warrants an award of treble damages and attorneys’
COUNT II
VIOLATION OF RIGHT OF PUBLICITY - Tenn. Code Ann. S 47-25-1101 et seq.
Tennessee Personal Rights Protection Act
50. The Trust repeats and realleges each of the allegations set forth in paragraphs 1
51. The facts set forth herein establish that Defendant has used or infringed the Cash
Rights of Publicity without the Trust’s consent and continues to knowingly do so.
52. Defendant’s conduct includes, without limitation, using the name and likenesses of
Johnny Cash as items of commerce for purposes of advertising products, merchandise, goods, or
services without the consent of the Trust in violation of Tenn. Code. Ann. § 47-25-1105.
53. Defendant has profited by its knowing violation of the Cash Rights of Publicity.
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54. Defendant’s actions in violation of the Cash Rights of Publicity have directly and
proximately caused the Trust to suffer financial harm in an amount to be determined at trial.
55. Defendant’s actions in violation of the Cash Rights of Publicity have also caused
COUNT III
UNFAIR COMPETITION - Tenn. Code Ann. S 47-18-101 et seq.
Tennessee Consumer Protection Act
56. The Trust repeats and realleges each of the allegations set forth in paragraphs 1
57. As alleged herein, Defendant has knowing and willfully engaged in unfair and
deceptive acts or practices in violation of Tenn. Code Ann. § 47-18-104 for reasons including, but
not limited to the following: (i) causing likelihood of confusion or misunderstanding as to the
with the Trust; (iii) using deceptive representations or designations of origin in connection with
58. Defendant’s unfair and deceptive acts have been the direct and proximate cause of
59. Defendant has engaged in the unfair and deceptive acts described herein willfully
and knowingly, entitling the Trust to an award of treble damages pursuant to Tenn. Code Ann.
§47-18-109.
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COUNT IV
COMMON LAW TRADEMARK INFRINGEMENT
60. The Trust repeats and realleges each of the allegations set forth in paragraphs 1
61. The Trust owns common law trademark rights in the CASH Trademarks.
as to the source of Defendant’s products and services and constitutes trademark infringement with
respect to the Trust’s common law trademark rights in and to the CASH Trademarks.
63. As a direct and proximate result of Defendant’s wrongful conduct, the Trust has
WHEREFORE, Plaintiff respectfully prays that this Court enter judgment as follows:
(a) That Defendant and its officers, agents, employees, attorneys, successors,
assigns, corporations, or companies under their control, and all other persons in
similar mark;
determined at trial;
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(c) That Defendant be ordered to pay treble damages pursuant to Section 35 of the
Lanham Act, 15 U.S.C. § 1117 and Tenn. Code Ann. § 47-18-109, based upon,
from the sale of products and services resulting from the acts of trademark
infringement complained of herein and that Defendant pay all profits received
Defendant’s actions;
(e) That Defendant’s acts of trademark infringement are deliberate and willful, that
(f) That Defendant be ordered to assign to the Trust U.S. Trademark Registration
(g) That Defendant cause to be assigned to the Trust U.S. Trademark Application
issuing therefrom;
(h) That Plaintiff be awarded all applicable legal and equitable remedies pursuant
(i) That Plaintiff be awarded prejudgment and post judgment interest; and
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(j) For such other and further relief to which Plaintiff shows themselves to be justly
entitled.
18662542.4