Electric Hendrix Vodka Yanked From Shelves

(CN) - A federal judge in Seattle ordered "Electric Hendrix Vodka" removed from stores and told its makers to pay $3.2 million to settle a trademark lawsuit from Jimi Hendrix's estate. Craig Dieffenbach and his Electric Hendrix companies must stop selling and advertising other Hendrix-related products and are prohibited from ever using Jimi Hendrix's name or image.

The lawsuit was filed in 2007 by Authentic Hendrix and Experience Hendrix. Jimi Hendrix's adopted sister Janie is CEO of Experience Hendrix and controls the late musician's estate.

The complaint says that the Hendrix family decided not to license marks or music for use in connection with alcohol "because drugs and alcohol have been claimed to be a factor in Jimi Hendrix's untimely death."

U.S. District Judge Thomas Zilly ruled in favor of the estate in October 2008. Dieffenbach appealed to the 9th Circuit. The case was settled and the appeal dismissed, sending the case back to Zilly for the final order.

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