Yoko Ono, the widow of John Lennon, demanded the cessation of sales of the craft beer John Lemon in France, claiming trademark infringement. The producer was threatened with hefty fines and daily penalties for using the name.
Yoko Ono, the widow of The Beatles member John Lennon, demanded that the French brewery L'Imprimerie cease the sale of craft beer named John Lemon, citing a violation of her registered trademark.
As reported by bb.lv, this was mentioned by The Guardian.
According to the brewery's owner, Aurélien Picard, the company had been producing lemon and ginger-flavored beer with a label referencing John Lennon as a joke and a tribute for five years.
However, in April 2026, the brewery received a letter from Ono's lawyers demanding an immediate halt to the use of the name under the threat of fines up to €100,000 and €1,500 for each day of violation.
After negotiations, the company was allowed to sell off the remaining approximately 5,000 bottles until July 1, after which the use of the name must cease. According to Picard, the beer is selling out quickly.
The story of John Lemon once again highlighted how strictly the rights to the names and images of iconic figures are protected, writes bb.lv. Even ironic or 'respectful' references can lead to legal consequences—especially when it comes to the legacy of legends like The Beatles.
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