John Uselton and Michael Lowe, founders of New Columbia Distillers (now Green Hat). Photograph by Jeff Elkins
The bottle looks cool, the name is pithy, and it’s made right here in DC: Since its
debut this past fall, Green Hat gin has become one of the hippest sips in Washington.
Michael Lowe and his son-in-law, John Uselton, opened New Columbia Distillers—the District’s first microdistillery—in October in
the Ivy City neighborhood of Northeast. It’s the first time in more than a century
that anyone has distilled spirts within city limits, as Washingtonian reported in a feature
about the duo last fall. But now Lowe and Uselton are dealing with one of the worst
nightmares of any new business-owner: a legal dispute over their brand.
Green Farms II, a company based in Brooklyn, filed a lawsuit against New Columbia
Distillers in federal court in New Jersey in November claiming that the sale of Green
Hat gin will likely cause confusion with Green Farms’ gin products, sold under the
brand Greenhook Ginsmiths.
As first noted by the National Law Journal, New Columbia Distillers this week filed its own action in DC federal court. In an
effort to put to rest the assertions made by Green Farms, New Columbia Distillers
is asking the DC court to declare that its trademark for the Green Hat name does not
infringe on the Greenhook Ginsmiths trademark. New Columbia Distillers is not asking
for damages, or for Green Farms to change its name. It just wants the court to determine
that no one’s trademark is being violated.
The Green Hat name is a reference to bootlegger George Cassiday who, during Prohibition,
sold booze to members of Congress while wearing his signature green hat. In a letter
to Green Farms’ attorney, one of New Columbia Distillers’ lawyers points out a number
of other trademarks for names connected to alcoholic drinks that include the word
“green,” such as Green Devil, Green Beast, and Green Spot.
“I haven’t tried it, but I’m sure that Greenhook Ginsmiths makes a very nice gin.
I can tell you from experience that Green Hat’s gin is delicious,” said Venable partner
Damon Wright, the lead attorney representing New Columbia Distillers, in a statement. “Green Hat
hopes the lawsuit can be quickly resolved, so the two companies can simply compete
in the marketplace.”
Green Farms’ attorney, Jon Fallon, has not yet returned a request for comment. We will update if we hear from him.
Green Hat Gin Involved in Lawsuit Over Name
The District-based distillery is in a tussle with Brooklyn company Green Farms II regarding potential confusion of their similarly named products.
The bottle looks cool, the name is pithy, and it’s made right here in DC: Since its
debut this past fall, Green Hat gin has become one of the hippest sips in Washington.
Michael Lowe and his son-in-law,
John Uselton, opened New Columbia Distillers—the District’s first microdistillery—in October in
the Ivy City neighborhood of Northeast. It’s the first time in more than a century
that anyone has distilled spirts within city limits, as
Washingtonian reported in a feature
about the duo last fall. But now Lowe and Uselton are dealing with one of the worst
nightmares of any new business-owner: a legal dispute over their brand.
Green Farms II, a company based in Brooklyn, filed a lawsuit against New Columbia
Distillers in federal court in New Jersey in November claiming that the sale of Green
Hat gin will likely cause confusion with Green Farms’ gin products, sold under the
brand Greenhook Ginsmiths.
As first noted by the
National Law Journal, New Columbia Distillers this week filed its own action in DC federal court. In an
effort to put to rest the assertions made by Green Farms, New Columbia Distillers
is asking the DC court to declare that its trademark for the Green Hat name does not
infringe on the Greenhook Ginsmiths trademark. New Columbia Distillers is not asking
for damages, or for Green Farms to change its name. It just wants the court to determine
that no one’s trademark is being violated.
The Green Hat name is a reference to bootlegger George Cassiday who, during Prohibition,
sold booze to members of Congress while wearing his signature green hat. In a letter
to Green Farms’ attorney, one of New Columbia Distillers’ lawyers points out a number
of other trademarks for names connected to alcoholic drinks that include the word
“green,” such as Green Devil, Green Beast, and Green Spot.
“I haven’t tried it, but I’m sure that Greenhook Ginsmiths makes a very nice gin.
I can tell you from experience that Green Hat’s gin is delicious,” said Venable partner
Damon Wright, the lead attorney representing New Columbia Distillers, in a statement. “Green Hat
hopes the lawsuit can be quickly resolved, so the two companies can simply compete
in the marketplace.”
Green Farms’ attorney,
Jon Fallon, has not yet returned a request for comment. We will update if we hear from him.
Marisa M. Kashino joined Washingtonian in 2009 and was a senior editor until 2022.
Most Popular in News & Politics
Best of Washington 2024: Things to Eat, Drink, Shop, Do, and Know
Washington DC’s 500 Most Influential People of 2024
What It Felt Like for a Virginia Marching Band to Win Metallica’s Contest
What’s IN and OUT in DC Restaurant Trends for 2024
Washingtonian Magazine
August: Great Festivals & Fairs
View IssueSubscribe
Follow Us on Social
Follow Us on Social
Related
Best of Washington 2024: Where to Eat and Drink
Best of Washington 2024: Things to Do
Best of Washington 2024: Where to Shop
Best of Washington 2024: Things to Know
More from News & Politics
Mubadala Citi Open 2024 Is Putting Mics on Players and Hosting Michelin-Star Chefs
Why Is Babydog in All These Famous Artworks?
Varsity Pickleball Will Come to All Montgomery County High Schools This Fall
Can Any Town in the US Dethrone Arlington as the Nation’s Fittest Place?
I Saw “Twisters” in 4DX. I Didn’t Realize It Was a Comedy.
A Gen-Zer’s Guide to Kamala Harris Memes
MAP: How to Get Around DC During Benjamin Netanyahu’s Visit This Week
Olympics 2024: These DC-Area Athletes Will Compete in Paris