Is another Games Workshop legal battle on the horizon? Come see the wild story thus far…
Folks on Facebook are reporting that Blue Pants Brewery is about to release a beer called Imperial Stout that uses the Aquila symbol which, in this form, may be the exclusive property of Games Workshop.
Some local Alabama residents familiar with the fallout that ensues from previous IP snafus like this have apparently attempted to warn the brewery that it may be inviting trouble. Apparently their warnings have fallen on deaf ears thus far;
So we have tried telling this local brewery they are making a huge mistake but they haven’t listened… we have also contacted games workshop directly via email out this beer label. I would rather them get a cease and disist before the beer releases than after. Hopefully putting this out here will expedite that process.
The picture above clearly shows the Imperial “double headed eagle” that appears to be registered to Games Workshop printed labels for the forthcoming Imperial Stout from Blue Pants Brewery.
©… the ‘Aquila’ Double-headed Eagle logo … and all associated logos, illustrations, images, names, creatures, races, vehicles, locations, weapons, characters, and the distinctive likenesses thereof, are either ® or ™, and/or © Games Workshop Limited, variably registered around the world. All Rights Reserved.
So it looks like the pieces may all be falling into place for yet another copyright battle with Games Workshop. As of right now the beer has not been produced and it is unclear if they have received any communication from Games Workshop.
It is also unclear what the response will be from Games Workshop, or if this is an elaborate attempt at a viral publicity stunt by Blue Pants themselves.
What do you think will happen now?
About the Author: Rob Baer
Rob Baer
Job Title: Managing Editor
Founded Spikey Bits in 2009
Socials: Rob Baer on Facebook and @catdaddymbg on X
About Rob Baer: Founder, Publisher, & Managing Editor of Spikey Bits, the leading tabletop gaming news website focused on the hobby side of wargaming and miniatures.
Rob also co-founded and currently hosts the Long War Podcast, which has over 350 episodes and focuses on tabletop miniatures gaming, specializing in Warhammer 40k. and spent six years writing for Bell of Lost Souls.
Every year, along with his co-hosts, he helps host the Long War 40k Doubles Tournament at Adepticon and the Long War 40k Doubles at Las Vegas Open, which attracts over 350 players from around the world.
Rob has won many Warhammer 40k Tournaments over the years, including multiple first-place finishes in Warhammer 40k Grand Tournaments over the years and even winning 1st place at the Adepticon 40k Team Tournament.
With over 30 years of experience in retail and distribution, Rob knows all the products and exactly which ones are the best. As a member of GAMA (Game Manufacturers Association), he advocates for gaming stores and manufacturers in these difficult times, always looking for the next big thing to feature for the miniatures hobby, helping everyone to provide the value consumers want.
While he’s played every edition of Warhammer 40k and Warhammer Fantasy (since 5th Edition) and has been hobbying on miniatures since the 1980s, Titans of all sizes will always be his favorite! It’s even rumored that his hobby vault rivals the Solemnance Galleries, containing rulebooks filled with lore from editions long past, ancient packs of black-bordered Magic Cards, and models made of both pewter and resin.
