Jimmy Buffett’s Trademark Battle – “It’s Five O’Clock Somewhere”

A Trademark Application for “It’s 1700 Hours Somewhere” has been filed by Veteran Beverage Company at the USPTO. Jimmy Buffet’s Margaritaville Enterprises, which owns trademarks on the phrase “It’s Five O’Clock Somewhere” and several variations, has challenged the application at the TTAB (the Trademark Office’s Administrative Tribunal). The Trademark application is for beer, which is closely related to Margaritaville’s beverage and bar services marks, and that the only difference is that it shows 5:00 p.m. in military time. Margaritaville Enterprises v. Veteran Beverage Co., No. 91236809 (T.T.A.B., filed September 22, 2017).

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