The Last Major Distributor, Breakthru Beverage Group, Ceases the Sale of KAH Tequila

LOS ANGELES - Sept. 22, 2016 - PRLog -- After Kim Brandi, CEO of Iconic Brands and creator of Sangre de Vida Tequila, sent a cease and desist letter to Breakthru Beverage Group demanding it stop distributing and/or selling KAH Tequila earlier this month, its senior counsel responded by stating it will refrain from selling KAH Tequila and permanently cease importing, distributing, marketing and/or selling unauthorized copies or reproductions of the products. This request stems from an intellectual property dispute, as Brandi owns copyrights on the packaging design of these skull-shaped bottles. Breakthru Beverage Group is the final major distributor of KAH Tequila to follow Brandi's cease and desist order. "It is wonderful to see these distributors respect my rights as an artist," Brandi notes. "I have been working hard to protect my work and product, and it's important that these companies follow the court's lead on this copyright infringement."

The list continues to grow, but currently, the following distributors have settled with Brandi and have stopped the distribution and/or sales of KAH Tequila: Arizona: Breakthru Beverage Group, Glazers; Arkansas: Glazers N. Little Rock; Indiana: Glazers IN; Kansas: Glazers KS; Louisiana: Glazers St. Rose; Missouri: Glazers; Oklahoma: Glazers; Tennessee: Star/Glazer's; Texas: Glazers Houston/Glazers Farmers; Colorado: Breakthru Beverage Group, Southern Wine & Spirits; Delaware: Breakthru Beverage Group, Southern Wine & Spirits; Florida: Breakthru Beverage Group; Hawaii: Southern Wine & Spirits; Nevada: Breakthru Beverage Group,  Southern Wine & Spirits; South Carolina: Breakthru Beverage Group, Southern Wine & Spirits; Virginia: Breakthru Beverage Group; Illinois: Breakthru Beverage Group, Southern Wine & Spirits; Pennsylvania: Breakthru Beverage Group; Maryland: Breakthru Beverage Group, Southern Wine & Spirits; New York: Southern Wine & Spirits; Minnesota: Breakthru Beverage Group, Johnson Brothers; Nebraska: Johnson Brothers; South Dakota: Johnson Brothers/Famous Brands; North Dakota: Ed Phillips&Sons/Johnson Bros.; Rhode Island: Johnson Bros.; California: Wine Warehouse; Connecticut: ACE of CT; Massachusetts: Abacus; Washington, D.C.: Breakthru Beverage Group; New Jersey: Breakthru Beverage Group, Quality Spirits Co.; New Mexico: Southwest Wine & Spirits; Oregon: Oregon Liquor Control Commission; Kentucky: Heidelberg Distributors; Wisconsin: Breakthru Beverage Group; and Georgia: Savannah Distributing, Co.

Brandi and Iconic are represented by Jon B. Miller of Miller Johnson Law in San Diego (www.millerjohnsonlaw.com) "The Court denied KAH Tequila's motion for preliminary injunction, finding that the importers of KAH failed to show a likelihood of success against the importers of Sangre de Vida," says Miller. "Anyone who continues to sell KAH Tequila would be well advised to read the District Court's June 1, 2015, written opinion."

About Sangre de Vida

Imported by Iconic Brands, Inc., located in Industry, CA and available in 750ml and 50ml, each ornate Calavera bottle houses an unaged Blanco SRP $39.99; a 110-proof Reposado SRP $44.99, aged in American oak barrels for three months; or an Añejo, rested for 12 months SRP $49.99. Sangre de Vida Mezcal Reposado showcases the customary flavors of Oaxaca.

Sangre de Vida 110 Proof Reposado Tequila received aDouble Gold award and won Best of Show at the 2015 Spirit Tasting Competition portion of the 72nd annual Wine & Spirits Wholesalers of America (WSWA) Convention.

Just as wine is to France, Tequila is the lifeblood of the people of Mexico. It is part of the fabric of their culture and life. From the company that delivers art from the inside and out, and the creator of the original hand painted skull tequila, comes Sangre de Vida. Just like its spirit inside, the folk art inspired façade itself embraces tradition, the spirit of Mexico, taking the untraveled path, living in the moment, celebration of life and celebrating the everyday victories, big or small.