The US Olympic and Paralympic Committee is suing Logan Paul and KSI’s Prime energy drinks brand, accusing it of trademark infringement.
The committee claims that Prime is using trademarked Olympic phrases and symbols on a special edition of its hydration drink featuring basketball star and three-time Olympic gold medallist Kevin Durant.
The committee stated that it does not have an agreement with Prime for the use of its terminology and trademarks, accusing the brand of “deliberate” and “bad faith” actions. The BBC has contacted Prime for comment.
On Friday, the committee filed the lawsuit in Colorado, also accusing Prime of using the trademarks in internet campaigns and promotions. According to the lawsuit, seen by CBS News, consumers could be misled into thinking there is an agreement between the US Olympic and Paralympic Committee and Prime. The organization said it had issued a cease and desist letter to Prime, but the drinks brand continued to market the product using the branding.
Critics have previously targeted the company for marketing to a younger audience, prompting some schools in the UK to issue warnings or ban the product.
While the company’s energy drink contains caffeine, it also sells a caffeine-free drink marketed for “hydration.” Earlier this month, US Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer called for an investigation into the brand due to the high caffeine content of its energy drink. In response, Prime stated that it complies with regulatory requirements in the countries it operates in.
Prime founders Logan Paul and KSI have over 40 million YouTube followers between them. Prime was released in the UK with much hype in 2022, leading some shops to limit the number of bottles sold per customer. The brand has collaborated with some of the biggest sporting stars and teams in the world, including Arsenal and the LA Dodgers.
