Paulaner Sues Berentzen Over Alleged Design Similarities in Cola Mix Drink

The Munich-based brewery claims Berentzen's Mio Mio Cola+Orange Mische mimics its Spezi design, while Berentzen points to a vintage tapete as inspiration.

Paulaner has filed a lawsuit against Berentzen, alleging that the design of Berentzen's Mio Mio Cola+Orange Mische is too similar to its Spezi branding.
The lawsuit, filed in November 2024 at the Landgericht München I, argues that Berentzen's product uses a color scheme closely resembling Paulaner's Spezi design.
Berentzen denies the claim, stating that the design was inspired by a tapete in its marketing chief’s former student apartment, featuring similar orange, yellow, and brown tones.
The court has not yet set a hearing date, and Berentzen has until February 7, 2025, to respond formally to the allegations.
This is not the first legal dispute involving Spezi; in 2022, Paulaner successfully defended its right to use the name against the original trademark holder, Riegele Brewery.

Süddeutsche Zeitung

Augsburger Allgemeine