Liquid Death's 'Armless Palmer' Stunt Evokes Clash of IP Rights

Liquid Death’s name change of its “Armless Palmer” drink to “Dead Billionaire” may keep the beverage company out of a courtroom, but it leaves unanswered novel questions about the intersection of trademarks, right of publicity, and genericide.

The company’s Nov. 25 post on Instagram announced the switch for its iced tea and lemonade combination to a name “that won’t require us to fight a senseless legal battle.” That implied that Arnold Palmer Enterprises Inc., founded by the late legendary golfer and owner of Arnold Palmer trademarks, had objected to Liquid Death’s branding.

The label change to “Dead Billionaire” could help ...