The Empire Beer Strikes "Bock" in This Patent and Trademark Story

That's not a typo, folks.... Not by any stretch. In actuality, a bock is a type of German lager, and it turns out that a small new York-based brewing company with such an affinity for Star Wars thought it would be cool to brand one such German lager with the name "Strikes Bock." LucasFilm, though, did have a problem with such a marketing tactic -- for obvious reasons, not unlike the many other disputes they've had before.

You Can Decide Here: Did Empire Brewing Company (Yep, That's Their Name, Too) Overstep Their Legal Bounds?

Funny that the name of the brewing company's "Empire," although that originally had absolutely nothing to do with Star Wars. However, LucasFilm had a problem with the name of the lager causing a lot of confusion given the production company also owns Skywalker Vineyards, a brand producing Star Wars-themed wine. So they may have a case there.

However, as we know about patent and trademark law is this: if it's a parody, it's not infringement. Being in the same market (food and beverage), though, is a disadvantage to Empire Brewing company. However, the brewing company's not exactly terrified of this legal death star approaching as shown in the video they submitted.

Love that video, don't you? Did you catch the stormtrooper in the back there? Talk about cheeky fun.... At the moment, both parties over this dispute are waiting for a ruling.