Death Wish Coffee Alleges Trademark Infringement Against Liquid Death

"New York-based Death Wish Coffee filed a lawsuit this week against the beverage company Liquid Death, alleging trademark infringement related to yet-to-be-released coffee products. Liquid Death, meanwhile, said on social media that it has "no real plans to launch a coffee." In a complaint filed Oct. 7 in U.S. District Court for the Central District of California, Western Division, Death Wish Coffee noted that Liquid Death recently filed trademark applications with the United States Patent and Trademark Office for multiple coffee or coffee-flavored beverages."

""Upon information and belief, Liquid Death intends to launch these Infringing Coffee Products in a matter of months, in or around January 2026 or soon thereafter," the complaint states. While showing renderings of Death Wish and potential Liquid Death cans side by side, attorneys for Death Wish argue that the planned products would confuse consumers by adopting the dominant element of its marks - "DEATH" - and would cause "severe and irreparable" harm if the beverages reach shelves."

"The complaint suggests that Death Wish Coffee, founded in 2012, and Liquid Death, founded in 2019, have "coexisted" to this point because they have operated in the "wholly different market areas" of coffee and water. "This coexistence is coming to an end," the complaint states. "Flush with investment valuing the company at $1.4 billion, Liquid Death is preparing to invade Death Wish's market territory and infringe Death Wish's trademarks by selling DEATH-branded coffee beverages.""

Death Wish Coffee filed a lawsuit against Liquid Death alleging trademark infringement over yet-to-be-released coffee products. Liquid Death publicly stated on social media that it has "no real plans to launch a coffee." Death Wish noted that Liquid Death filed trademark applications with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office for coffee or coffee-flavored beverages and alleges an intent to launch in or around January 2026. Death Wish's attorneys presented renderings comparing cans and argued that Liquid Death's use of the dominant element "DEATH" would confuse consumers and cause severe and irreparable harm. Death Wish emphasized prior coexistence due to different markets and warned that coexistence is ending as Liquid Death expands.

Read at Daily Coffee News by Roast Magazine