Home / Arts and Entertainment / Yoko Ono's Trademark Stirs French Craft Beer Storm
Yoko Ono's Trademark Stirs French Craft Beer Storm
2 May
Summary
- A French brewer was forced to stop selling 'John Lemon' beer.
- Yoko Ono claimed trademark infringement for her late husband.
- The brewery was given until July 1 to sell remaining stock.
A Brittany-based brewer, Aurélien Picard, has been ordered to cease sales of his popular craft beer, 'John Lemon'. The legal demand came from Yoko Ono, widow of The Beatles' John Lennon, who registered the 'John Lemon' trademark a decade ago. Ono stated her intention was to prevent her late husband's name from being mocked or misused.
Picard, owner of L'Imprimerie brewery, had been selling the lemon and ginger-flavored beer for five years, believing the name and label, which featured a caricature of Lennon with lemon-slice glasses, was a lighthearted tribute. He received a letter from Ono's lawyers threatening significant fines if he did not comply immediately.
Initially skeptical, Picard confirmed the lawyers' legitimacy and learned of others penalized for similar puns. Faced with potential fines of €100,000 and daily penalties, he expressed surprise that Ono would pursue such a small operation. After negotiations, the brewery secured permission to sell its remaining 5,000 bottles of 'John Lemon' beer before July 1, with the remaining stock quickly selling out as a souvenir.
This is not the first time Ono has taken legal action over the 'John Lemon' name; she previously halted the sale of a Polish lemonade with the same branding. The case highlights broader issues of celebrity trademarks and product puns, with other instances involving figures like Pedro Pascal and the actor whose name inspired a Chilean honey business.
