Trademark battle brewing at PL

SANDPOINT — A trademark dispute is brewing at Priest Lake.

Priest Lake Brewing Co. is filing suit against the operators Priest Lake Brewing for trademark infringement and tortious interference with business, according to 1st District Court records.

Counsel for Priest Lake Brewing Co. argues the company’s president, Tim Kassa, registered the name of his business and a logo with the Idaho Secretary of State in 2016.

Kassa attempted to contact Priest Lake Brewing operator Kent Feldmen over social media a month after registering the trademarks to advise Feldman that his assumed business name was interfering with Priest Lake Brewing Co. and causing confusion between the two brands.

Kassa received no reply and follow-up calls and messages also went unreturned, according to the suit, which was filed on Monday.

Priest Lake Brewing Co.’s counsel, Spokane attorney Kevin Roberts, contends Priest Lake Brewing has been using his client’s trademarks despite being made aware of that they were being infringed upon.

“As a direct result of defendant’s conduct, Priest Lake Brewing Co. has suffered damages in an amount to be proven at the time of trial,” Roberts said in the suit.

The filing also seeks an injunction prohibiting Priest Lake Brewing from using the trademarks and the forfeiture of profits earned as a result of their unauthorized use, according to the civil complaint. The action also seeks treble punitive damages for the infringement.

Priest Lake Brewing, based at Outlet Bay, filed an assumed business name on Sept. 14, 2016, according to Idaho Secretary of State business entity records. Priest Lake Brewing Co., based in Coolin, filed articles of incorporation on Oct. 11, 2016, state records show.

Keith Kinnaird can be reached by email at kkinnaird@bonnercountydailybee.com and follow him on Twitter @KeithDailyBee.