Groupon to Launch Wine Brand?

During a review of wine labels on ShipCompliant’s LabelVision database, we came across several new COLAs issued to  Top it Off Bottling, LLC and Appellation Trading Company, LLC (Type 02 licensed winegrower based in Napa) listing the fictitious business name “Groupon Wines” and bearing a GROUPON WINES word mark on the front label.  The wines include:

  • Chatty Cat Cabernet Sauvignon;
  • Jazzy Cat Pinot Noir;
  • Snazzy Cat Chardonnay; and
  • Top Cat Merlot.

JazzyCat

A search of the USPTO’s trademark database shows that Groupon, Inc. has applied for trademark registration for the GROUPON WINES, CHATTY CAT, JAZZY CAT, SNAZZY CAT, and TOP CAT marks in Class 33 (alcoholic beverages other than beer).

It is unclear from these documents what Groupon’s plan is for these wine brands (i.e., whether Groupon will be acting as a third party marketer or has entered into a licensing arrangement with the licensed winegrowers), but it is interesting to see an Internet discount marketplace get involved in the supply-side of the wine market.

For more information on wine and internet regulations, contact John Trinidad at [email protected].