An out-of-court settlement has been reached between Rémy Martin and 50 Cent’s cognac brand in a lawsuit accusing 50’s company of copying the French cognac giant’s iconic round, jewel-like bottle.
Officially announced on June 14, but finalized on June 1, the agreement is between E. Rémy Martin & Co. and Sire Spirits, 50 Cent’s company that makes Branson.
The Battle of the Bottles
The copyright infringement lawsuit was filed in 2021, with Rémy claiming that Branson’s similar-looking product packaging mimicked the company’s XO bottle.
Sire Spirits, at the time, called the lawsuit “meritless,” saying Rémy was trying to “destroy a competitor.”
“This action is a naked effort to use meritless litigation to financially destroy a competitor,” Sire’s attorneys wrote at the time. “Rémy Martin must be stopped, and the claims against Sire Spirits should not be allowed to survive.”
Sire Spirits tried to get the lawsuit dismissed, but last year, U.S. District Judge Alvin K. Hellerstein refused, saying, “This is not a case in which the claimed and accused designs are so plainly dissimilar that it is implausible that an ordinary observer would confuse them.”
While the agreement is a privately settled matter, a spokesperson for Rémy said this week, “[the company] appreciates and respects Mr. Jackson’s entry into the cognac market, and the parties share a common vision for the future of this exceptional and precious spirit. The parties are gratified that this matter could be resolved amicably.”
Inside Sire Spirits
As Finurah previously reported, Sire Spirits is a small operation of about five people with an estimated revenue of between $1 million and $5 million annually. Its Branson Cognac was created in 2018, with its OX bottle retailing for $250 at the highest price point.
Sire Spirits has been working to expand its reach. It recently partnered with two NBA teams, the Houston Rockets and Sacramento Kings, to introduce fans to its Le Chemin Du Roi Champagne and Branson cognac.
And in new deal this week, on June 14 the Vegas Golden Knights NHL team announced a collaboration with 50 Cent. The multi-year partnership will involve Branson Cognac and Le Chemin du Roi Champagne. The two spirits will be labeled as the official Champagne and the official cognac of the Golden Knights, according to the NHL. Sire Spirits products were flowing in the locker room on June 13 during the team’s celebration as 2023 Stanley Cup Champions.
