2007 Minnesota Statutes

325B.031 BRANDS; BRAND EXTENSIONS.
    Subdivision 1. Definitions. For purposes of this section:
(a) "Brand" is any word, name, group of letters, symbol, or combination thereof, that is
adopted and used by a brewer or importer to identify a specific beer product, and to distinguish
that beer product from another beer product.
(b) "Brand extension" is any brand that (1) incorporates all or a substantial part of the unique
features of a preexisting brand of the same brewer or importer, and (2) which relies to a significant
extent on the goodwill associated with that preexisting brand.
    Subd. 2. Brand extension to be assigned. A brewer or importer who assigns a brand
extension to a wholesaler must assign the brand extension to the wholesaler to whom the brewer
or importer granted the exclusive sales territory to the brand from which the brand extension
resulted. This requirement does not apply to assignments of brand extensions to wholesalers that
were made by a brewer or importer before May 6, 1994.
    Subd. 3. Additional brand extension. In the event that prior to May 6, 1994, a brewer or
importer had assigned a brand extension to a wholesaler who was not the appointed wholesaler
for the brand from which the brand extension was made, then any additional brand extension must
be assigned to the wholesaler who first had the brand.
History: 1994 c 611 s 2