The owner of Captain Morgan rum recently filed a lawsuit against a supplements company over its pirate logo, according to reports.
Diageo North America, the spirits giant that also owns Guinness, Johnnie Walker and Smirnoff, alleged that Captain Amsterdam's grinning, mustachioed mascot too closely resembles its trademark rum label and caused "irreparable injury" to the brand.
Captain Amsterdam, which is owned by New York-based Prep Enterprises LLC, sells vitamins, minerals, herbs and homeopathic products. The company previously sold the psychoactive plant salvia and an opiate alternative called kratom leaves.
"Captain Morgan is one of the most well-known and iconic spirit brands in the U.S. and globally," a Diageo spokesperson said. "We will strongly protect our intellectual property rights."
