The US Olympic and Paralympic Committee accuses Prime of misusing Olympic trademarks in promotional campaigns for its hydration drink featuring Kevin Durant.
The US Olympic and Paralympic Committee (USOPC) has filed a lawsuit against the Prime energy drinks brand, founded by YouTubers Logan Paul and KSI, accusing it of trademark infringement. The lawsuit, initiated in Colorado on Friday, alleges that Prime deliberately used trademarked Olympic phrases and symbols on a special edition of its hydration drink featuring basketball star and three-time Olympic gold medalist Kevin Durant.
The USOPC claims that Prime’s use of these trademarks in internet campaigns and promotions could mislead consumers into believing there is an official endorsement or agreement. Despite issuing a cease and desist letter, the committee alleges that Prime continued to market the product with the disputed branding.
Prime has faced criticism for targeting a younger audience, with several UK schools even banning the drink. The energy drink variant of Prime contains caffeine, whereas the hydration drink is caffeine-free. Recently, US Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer called for an investigation into Prime due to concerns over high caffeine content, to which Prime responded by asserting compliance with regulatory standards.
Prime, launched in the UK in 2022, has garnered significant attention, leading some retailers to limit purchases per customer. The brand has collaborated with notable sports teams like Arsenal and the LA Dodgers. Logan Paul and KSI, the founders, collectively have over 40 million followers on YouTube.