Brass Jar Sued Amazon Over Prime Video Trademark Use
The production company alleges unauthorized use of its Drunk Shakespeare brand in a Prime Video series.
Updated on Sept. 18, 2026 in Marketing
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Brass Jar filed a lawsuit against Amazon in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida on September 17, 2026. The complaint alleges that the Prime Video series Off Campus used Drunk Shakespeare trademarks without authorization.
Why it matters
The case highlights the operational risk of trademark infringement in content production, with the plaintiff alleging that unauthorized usage created consumer confusion regarding brand sponsorship.
Brass Jar is seeking up to $2 million per mark in statutory damages, in addition to treble damages and attorneys' fees. The dispute concerns a single episode of the eight-part series Off Campus, which premiered on Prime Video on May 13, 2026.
The players
Brass Jar
A theatrical production company that stages live shows in New York, Chicago, Washington D.C., Phoenix, Los Angeles, and Houston.
Amazon
A multinational technology conglomerate that produces and distributes content through its Prime Video streaming platform.
The details
The lawsuit claims that episode four of Off Campus features a fictional college production and dialogue that misappropriates the Drunk Shakespeare brand. Brass Jar previously attempted to resolve the issue with Amazon via a letter sent on June 3, 2026, which Amazon reportedly answered by shifting the focus to copyright concerns. The plaintiff contends that this usage misled consumers about the true source and sponsorship of the television series.
Timeline
May 13, 2026: The series Off Campus premiered on Prime Video.
June 3, 2026: Brass Jar sent a letter to Amazon regarding trademark concerns.
September 17, 2026: Brass Jar filed the lawsuit in the Southern District of Florida.
Market Landscape
This litigation follows the long-standing legal precedents set by the Lanham Act regarding the protection of commercial trademarks. It reflects a growing industry trend where production houses aggressively defend intellectual property against perceived brand dilution in streaming content.
Owners in creative industries should verify that any depiction of third-party intellectual property is cleared for use to avoid similar litigation. Operators should track the court's ruling on whether the usage in this series establishes a pattern for liability in fictional content.
The takeaway
Unauthorized brand exposure in media creates significant legal and financial liability for content producers. Ensure that your marketing and content teams maintain a registry of protected trademarks to cross-reference against any internal or partner-distributed materials.
Further reading
For more on how companies manage brand assets in media, visit Marketing.
More information
View the court complaint filing for complete legal details.
Live Poll
Should streaming platforms be strictly liable for trademark use in their original television series?
