Wednesday, September 9, 2026
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Owner of Gothic-Themed Trademarked Brands Claims Infringement by ‘Vampire Punch’
By a MetNews Staff Writer
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The graphics above are exhibits to a trademark-infringement complaint filed yesterday in the U.S. District Court of the Central District of California, At left are products of the plaintiff; at right is a product alleged to be infringing. |
A corporation headquartered in West Hollywood that makes and markets wine, chocolates, and other food products under the “Vampire,” “Vampyre,” and “Dracula” labels yesterday brought suit in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California claiming that its trademarks are being infringed by a Sonoma County manufacturer of a syrup that it claims is wrongfully sold in California at Marshalls and HomeGoods stores.
Vampire Family Brands, LLC, brought its action under the Lanham Act against Crave, Inc. based on its production of “Vampire Punch,” a sugar-free syrup, and against TJX Companies, Inc., owner of Marshalls of California, LLC, and HomeGoods, LLC. The complaint, drafted by West Hollywood attorney Michael Machat, says:
“Besides selling its products directly to consumers, Crave also sells its products, including the accused product to retail stores throughout the United States, including to Defendants TJX, HomeGoods and Marshalls of CA.”
It alleges (with paragraph numbering omitted):
“Defendants’ accused product is intended for making cocktails.
“Plaintiff sells ready-to-drink cocktails, including its gold medal winning, 95-point rated Vampire Absinthe Cocktail….
“Defendants continue to unlawfully promote, advertise, market and sell its infringing Vampire Punch from its website, and from retail brick and mortar stores.”
The pleading adds that “[d]efendants’ intentional wrongful acts are harming Plaintiffs brands reputation and are diluting the brands and are disparaging” because consumers are apt to be confused into thinking that the plaintiff makes the punch syrup.
Prior to Vampire Brands moving its vineyard to California’s Napa County, it operated out of Transylvania, Romania. Its operations expanded, including operating the Vampire Lounge & Tasting Room in Beverly Hills, now closed.
The case is Vampire Family Brands, LLC v. Crave, Inc., 2:26-cv-10015.
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