Tensions are high among the Yellowstone cast and crew—and for more reasons than one. In addition to a sudden halt to the series due to a scheduling dispute with Kevin Costner (who portrays patriarch John Dutton) and a delayed season five part two as a result of said dispute, Yellowstone creator Taylor Sheridan has launched a trademark infringement lawsuit against Cole Hauser’s Free Rein Coffee Company.
As a refresher, Cole Hauser (AKA our beloved Rip Wheeler), launched his cowboy-inspired coffee company, Free Rein Coffee Company, in October of this year. As we previously reported, the brand is rooted in 25 years of roasting experience and in addition to whole beans, grounds, and single-serve pods, it also sells Western-themed merch fitting of Rip himself.
While Cole’s coffee company has been met with success—garnering more than 60,000 followers in just over two months—now it faces a dilemma. The brand’s trademark, which is an F and an R superimposed to look like a brand, looks an awful lot like Taylor’s registered trademark for Bosque Ranch, “the premiere equine facility in North Texas” and a key filming location for both Yellowstone and 1883. Because of this, the lawsuit, which was filed on November 21, 2023, cites unfair competition and false advertising.
“Neither Hauser nor the Defendants asked or received permission or authorization of Sheridan or Bosque Ranch to use a mark confusingly similar to the BR Brand for virtually identical goods,” the lawsuit alleges.
It also doesn’t help that Taylor launched his own Western-themed coffee brand, Bosque Ranch Craft Coffee, in June of this year. Since Cole began teasing his soon-to-launch brand shortly thereafter, Bosque Ranch Headquarters LLC is seeking damages, as well as a cease and desist.
“Bosque Ranch is entitled to recover from Defendants its profits, all damages that Bosque Ranch has sustained from Defendants’ infringement, prejudgment interest, and the costs associated with this action under 15 U.S.C,” the lawsuit reads. “…Bosque Ranch is entitled to a permanent injunction under Texas Law.”
On the bright side, at least this dispute is taking place within the court system, as opposed to in a bar (or even worse, at the train station—IYKYK). According to PEOPLE, Cole and Taylor got into a physical fight the second time they met.
“Does a bear s— in the woods?” Cole joked on the matter to the outlet. “I’ve probably been in one on every continent.”