CampAjohn
02-13-2007, 05:38 PM
Meanwhile, in Maine, a federal court has scheduled a
trial for November 7 in a challenge to that state’s initial
refusal to approve a label for Santa’s Butt Winter Porter
that featured a rear view of a beer-drinking Santa Claus
sitting atop a barrel.
In a letter to the beer’s importer, the Maine Bureau of
Liquor Enforcement (MBLE) stated they rejected that
label and two others submitted by the same company
because they contained “undignified or improper
illustration.”
The Maine Civil Liberties Union filed a lawsuit on behalf
of Shelton Brothers importers, claiming that the denial
violated the First Amendment by restricting freedom of
expression. Shortly after the litigation was filed, the MBLE
sent Shelton a letter indicating that the three disputed
labels would be approved if the company re-submitted
them for registration, following receipt of an opinion
from the State Attorney General’s office indicating that,
based on similar cases in other states, a court would
likely uphold the labels.
Nevertheless, the lawsuit has moved forward with
motions due in late July.
Submitted by CampAJohn
trial for November 7 in a challenge to that state’s initial
refusal to approve a label for Santa’s Butt Winter Porter
that featured a rear view of a beer-drinking Santa Claus
sitting atop a barrel.
In a letter to the beer’s importer, the Maine Bureau of
Liquor Enforcement (MBLE) stated they rejected that
label and two others submitted by the same company
because they contained “undignified or improper
illustration.”
The Maine Civil Liberties Union filed a lawsuit on behalf
of Shelton Brothers importers, claiming that the denial
violated the First Amendment by restricting freedom of
expression. Shortly after the litigation was filed, the MBLE
sent Shelton a letter indicating that the three disputed
labels would be approved if the company re-submitted
them for registration, following receipt of an opinion
from the State Attorney General’s office indicating that,
based on similar cases in other states, a court would
likely uphold the labels.
Nevertheless, the lawsuit has moved forward with
motions due in late July.
Submitted by CampAJohn