3/23/2017 12:00 AM PDT
EXCLUSIVE
Yuengling is using Harry Potter‘s famed butterbeer for its ice cream … but it took a legal shortcut that could backfire in a huge way.
Yuengling’s rolled out its new “butterbeer” flavor this week … even though it never secured the legal right to market ice cream.
Yuengling’s prez, David Yuengling, tells TMZ his company filed docs to trademark butterbeer ice cream 8 months ago, and he’s hopeful he’ll win approval.
Here’s the problem … J.K. Rowling created the fictional drink in her Harry Potter books, and Warner Bros. secured all the rights and produced the movies. So it’s pretty clear … Warner Bros. will be extremely territorial over one of it’s most valuable franchises.
So far Yuengling’s application for the right to use the name hasn’t been decided … but if it’s rejected the company has a big problem on its hands, and Warner Bros. could go after it for all the loot its made selling the frozen delight.
We’ve reached out to Warner Bros. for comment … so far, no word back.