Know what a SLAPP suit is? The producer of Vermonster Beer does. Now. Thanks Hansen Beverage Company!

I’m waiting for Monster Cable to sue them next, but in either case this is less about Trademark protections, and more about competition for any derivation of the term Monster. Which, in the context of Vermonster beer is far from being in the competitive space.

This is pretty much what I would call a SLAPP suit. It is strategic, it destroys a smaller player and at the same time, sets a precedent for others. You can subsequently send notices to others saying “Look what we’ve done to these guys, and these guys, and so on, then we’ll do the same to you.” Monster Cable is known for doing the same thing… from a mini-golf family business, to Monster Energy drinks itself.

Read about it yourself.