WATCH: Kelowna distillery wins Spirit Bear legal fight

KELOWNA, BC — Printed on every Urban Distilleries craft spirits is the image of B.C.’s official mammal with the words “Spirit Bear” beneath.

That logo has led to a three-year legal dispute over trademark use.

In 2011, the City of Terrace and Kitasoo Band Council requested that Urban Distilleries stop using the image and name.

But Mike Urban, Urban Distilleries owner, believed it would cause even more damage to rebrand.

After taking this matter to the Federal Court, Justice Martineau found that the City and Band Council’s Spirit Bear marks were invalid and were improperly registered.

The judge also found that the two parties had trademarks which were not properly adopted, and were not used as a mark.

Urban Distilleries has been awarded costs and can continue using its original trademark.