Prime Sued By US Olympic and Paralympic Committee For Alleged Trademark Infringement
The US Olympic and Paralympic Committee (USOPC) has filed a lawsuit against Logan Paul and KSI’s energy drink brand, Prime, for alleged trademark infringement. The lawsuit, filed in Colorado, accuses Prime of using protected Olympic symbols and phrases on its special edition drink featuring NBA star and three-time Olympic gold medalist Kevin Durant.
Prime's actions were "willful, deliberate, and in bad faith"
Prime's promotional materials described the drink as the “Team USA Kevin Durant Drink” and the “Kevin Durant Olympic Prime Drink.” The USOPC claims Prime used phrases like "OLYMPIC," "TEAM USA," and "GOING FOR GOLD" on its packaging and online promotions, which could mislead consumers into thinking there was an official partnership.
The lawsuit also points out Prime's repeated failures to comply with USOPC’s requests. Even after receiving the cease-and-desist letter, Prime allegedly continued to market and sell the infringing product and failed to remove related social media posts. Some posts have since been deleted, and the drink has been removed from the company's website.
The committee stated that Prime's actions were "willful, deliberate, and in bad faith" and continued even after a cease-and-desist letter was issued. They added that Prime's actions have caused "damage and irreparable injury" to the committee.
The USOPC is seeking all profits from the sales of the disputed drink, which they claim amount to millions of dollars. The USOPC relies heavily on licensing its trademarks to fund the U.S. Olympic Team, as it does not receive federal funding.
The USOPC highlighted its exclusive agreement with Coca-Cola, which holds the rights to use Olympic trademarks for beverages in the US. Coca-Cola’s significant investment ensures that only they can use terms like “OLYMPIC” and “TEAM USA” for beverage marketing.
Olympic Lawsuit Is Most Recent In List Of Critisms Of Prime
Prime, founded in 2022 by YouTubers Logan Paul and KSI, has previously faced scrutiny. In July 2023, US Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer called for an FDA investigation into the brand's high caffeine content, which has been marketed towards children despite being intended for those over 18. While Prime Hydration does not contain caffeine, Prime Energy contains 200 milligrams of caffeine per 12-ounce can.
Prime's previous controversies include a class-action lawsuit alleging one of its drinks contained “forever chemicals,” though Paul has disputed these claims. Despite the legal troubles, Prime has maintained that it complies with all regulatory requirements in the markets where it operates.
The 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris are just around the corner, taking place from July 26 to August 11.
