A Portland brewer and the mayor's office have apparently reached an agreement that would allow the city to partially license an iconic logo.
Mayor Ted Wheeler and Old Town Brewing announced an arrangement on Wednesday that resolves a months-old disagreement. Old Town had objected to the city's attempts to license its logo, which the pizza maker and brewer has trademarked as part of its own logo, to large beer makers.
The agreement calls for:
- The city to amend its pending trademark applications to exclude beer, wine, and liquor, meaning Old Town Brewing won't object to the licensing of the sign for non-booze related purposes.
- Both the city and Old Town Brewing to file the agreement with the U.S. Patent Office, allowing both parties to "advance their pending and future trademark applications."
- The city to grant licenses for the Portland Oregon sign "for limited local alcoholic beverage-related uses," including festivals and events.
The city and Old Town Brewing plan to enter into a five-year agreement, the longest such deal possible under the city's charter.
“It was important to me to reach an agreement so that we could each return our focus to our core missions with a strengthened partnership," Wheeler said in a release.
“This was a challenging process,” said Adam Milne, founder and owner of Old Town Brewing. “Once the mayor directly engaged on the issue, we felt an immediate difference in the tone and tenor of the negotiations. I appreciate his support of local small businesses and of Portland craft brewing.”
The brewer had backing from the Old Town Hospitality Group, which told Wheeler last year the battle was a waste of "taxpayer money."
The issue relates to a trademark held by Old Town Brewing on the "leaping deer" logo, which adorns the "Portland Oregon" sign above the Burnside Bridge.
Milne and Wheeler said in a release they'll "sit for a beer (or two) ... to discuss ways the city can further partner with local craft brewers to support this important industry."
The Portland Business Journal is a KGW News partner.