Filing a motion to dismiss the litigation, Sire Spirits' lawyers state that the legal action was taken by their rival liquor company to financially destroy a competitor.
- October 20, 2021
AceShowbiz - 50 Cent and his bosses at Branson Cognac are fighting to dismiss a lawsuit filed on behalf of rival liquor company Remy Martin. Lawyers for Sire Spirits filed a motion on Monday, October 18 in Manhattan federal court, in answer to an August 2021 lawsuit lodged by representatives for E. Remy Martin & Co.
Experts at the company, who make and distribute the rapper's cognac, have blasted accusations that they copied the design of the centuries-old French company's signature curved bottle. The French attorneys claimed 50's bottles of booze looked "nearly indistinguishable" from Remy Martin products.
According to Billboard, the new documents accuse Remy Martin chiefs of trying to "eliminate" a competitor and "monopolize the Cognac market."
Remy Martin, which was founded in 1724, is currently the second best-selling cognac in the world, after market leader Hennessy, which dates back to 1765. Officials at Akerman LLP, the firm representing Sire Spirits, have also accused E. Remy Martin & Co. chiefs of creating a "bad faith" lawsuit.
"This action is a naked effort to use meritless litigation to financially destroy a competitor," Sire's attorneys wrote on Monday. "Remy Martin must be stopped, and the claims against Sire Spirits should not be allowed to survive."
"No brand or company has the right to exclude others from making or selling curved bottle for Cognac or other alcohol," the attorneys further stressed. "Nonetheless, Remy Martin is on a mission to eliminate Sire Spirits from the Cognac market."
When he was first slapped with the lawsuit, 50 shared his thought via Instagram. In the post that has since been deleted, the 46-year-old declared, "They are afraid of me already. Branson Cognac is the new wave. REMY is #2 Behind Henny and worried about Branson Smh. I'm just getting started."
