US District Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers has asked Diageo Chateau and Estates to stop the sales and marketing of Stark Raving wines in Sonoma County, California.
Earlier, a case was filed by California-based winery Stark Wine against Diageo over the usage of the name Stark Raving, as the name was similar to its Stark Wine and Stark Thirst brands, which were already registered with the US Patent and Trademark Office.
As per the verdict, Diageo will have to stop the advertisement, promotion, distribution and sale of its Stark Raving wines in the country.
Stark Wine said it filed a case only to avoid confusion among customers as both the brands start with the word 'Stark.'
"We don't want consumers to think that Stark Raving wine is made by Stark Wine as Diageo floods the market with its Stark Raving wine," Stark Wine added.
The company stated, "that it was pleased with this initial victory and is glad to have Diageo's Stark Raving wine out of its backyard."
