French Brewery's John Lennon Pun Beer "John Lemon" Leads to Lawsuit and Sells Out
A French brewery launched a pun-based beer called "John Lemon" after the late John Lennon, leading to Yoko Ono demanding its cessation due to trademark infringement. However, the controversy boosted sales, nearly selling out the beer.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: May 5, 2026 at 18:51
- 🔍 Collected: May 5, 2026 at 19:01 (9 min after Published)
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: May 5, 2026 at 19:04 (2 min after Collected)
Central News Agency
(Paris, May 5, Comprehensive Foreign Report) A French brewery launched a pun-based beer named "John Lemon," playing on the name of the late John Lennon, a member of the British rock band the Beatles. Yoko Ono, Lennon's widow, has demanded a halt to its sale due to trademark infringement, but the beer has almost sold out due to the controversy driving sales.
Agence France-Presse reported that Aurelien Picard, head of L'Imprimerie brewery in Brittany, France, stated he received a notice from lawyers hired by Yoko Ono in late March, demanding cessation of the brand name's use, otherwise a license fee for using John Lennon's name would be required.
Picard pointed out that many of the brewery's beers use celebrity pun names, and when they launched "John Lemon" beer, a pun on John Lennon, five years ago, it seemed "cool."
According to The Guardian, Yoko Ono claims that this beer infringes on a trademark she registered 10 years ago, intended to prevent the late John Lennon from being ridiculed, his name improperly used, and his reputation damaged.
After negotiations, the brewery was allowed to sell off its remaining stock of 5,000 bottles before July 1, after which it would cease production of the brand. However, the media attention generated by the dispute turned into excellent publicity, causing "John Lemon" to almost sell out within a few days.
Picard said: "It's really crazy, I have less than 1,000 bottles left now. Amidst our misfortune, this seems somewhat humorous." (Translator: Chen Zhengjian) 1150505
Choose to stand with facts; your sponsorship is the power that safeguards press freedom.
Download the Central News Agency's "First-hand News" APP to stay updated with the latest news.
The text, images, and videos on this website may not be reproduced, publicly broadcast, or publicly transmitted or utilized without authorization.
(Paris, May 5, Comprehensive Foreign Report) A French brewery launched a pun-based beer named "John Lemon," playing on the name of the late John Lennon, a member of the British rock band the Beatles. Yoko Ono, Lennon's widow, has demanded a halt to its sale due to trademark infringement, but the beer has almost sold out due to the controversy driving sales.
Agence France-Presse reported that Aurelien Picard, head of L'Imprimerie brewery in Brittany, France, stated he received a notice from lawyers hired by Yoko Ono in late March, demanding cessation of the brand name's use, otherwise a license fee for using John Lennon's name would be required.
Picard pointed out that many of the brewery's beers use celebrity pun names, and when they launched "John Lemon" beer, a pun on John Lennon, five years ago, it seemed "cool."
According to The Guardian, Yoko Ono claims that this beer infringes on a trademark she registered 10 years ago, intended to prevent the late John Lennon from being ridiculed, his name improperly used, and his reputation damaged.
After negotiations, the brewery was allowed to sell off its remaining stock of 5,000 bottles before July 1, after which it would cease production of the brand. However, the media attention generated by the dispute turned into excellent publicity, causing "John Lemon" to almost sell out within a few days.
Picard said: "It's really crazy, I have less than 1,000 bottles left now. Amidst our misfortune, this seems somewhat humorous." (Translator: Chen Zhengjian) 1150505
Choose to stand with facts; your sponsorship is the power that safeguards press freedom.
Download the Central News Agency's "First-hand News" APP to stay updated with the latest news.
The text, images, and videos on this website may not be reproduced, publicly broadcast, or publicly transmitted or utilized without authorization.