'Yellowstone' creator Taylor Sheridan sues Cole Hauser's coffee brand over trademark infringement

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Some legal drama has begun between the show's creator and one of his stars while fans wait for the second half of 'Yellowstone's final season to premiere next year.

On November 21, 'Yellowstone' showrunner Taylor Sheridan's Bosque Ranch sued actor Cole Hauser's coffee company, Free Rein, in the Northern District of Texas federal court in San Angelo for trademark infringement.

The court document, obtained by People magazine, charges Free Rein with "trademark infringement, unfair competition and false advertising," citing the usage of two overlapping letter branding marks by both companies.

Taylor Sheridan's Bosque Ranch sues Cole Hauser's Free Rein

According to San Angelo Live, Free Rein is accused in the lawsuit of using "a brand mark strikingly similar to Bosque Ranch’s registered trademark, potentially misleading consumers."

The lawsuit alleges a striking similarity between Bosque Ranch's registered trademark, which consists of the letters "BR," and Free Rein's logo, which features entwined letters "FR."

The lawsuit contends that because Sheridan and Hauser are associated with 'Yellowstone' and actively promote their brands, the two identical brand marks will result in "consumer confusion."

The lawsuit asserts that "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."

In June, Bosque Ranch introduced its Craft Coffee line. In August, Hauser changed the San Angelo, Texas-based Longhorn Coffee brand to Free Rein.

In October, the business introduced its first coffee brands featuring the F/R trademark. Bosque asserts that Free Rein did so without their consent.

According to a statement released by the company before to debut, the brand was envisioned as a "nod to the rugged spirit of the West" that would honor "the hard working cowboys that [Hauser] grew up around on and off set."

In light of the claimed infringement, Bosque Ranch is suing the defendants for "permanent injunctive relief, damages, and profits from the defendants under both the Lanham Act and Texas law," per Daily Mail.

The Bosque Ranch is the shooting location for 'Yellowstone,' directed by Taylor Sheridon. Meanwhile, Hauser and his three pals, Karl Pfluger, Aron Marquez, and Paul Anderson, launched Free Rein in early October.

This newest dispute between the 'Yellowstone' creator and one of his performers follows Sheridan's well-publicized conflict with Kevin Costner, who plays John Dutton, the patriarch of the Dutton family.

Internet users react as 'Yellowstone' stars engage in coffee war

Netizens are speculating on the drama between the actor and the creator of 'Yellowstone' as the show's final episodes are still pending filming.

Some referred to the situation as "petty," while many others lambasted showrunner Taylor Sheridan.

One user wrote on X (formerly Twitter): "Hmmm, starting to think he is the common denominator here."

A second one slammed Sheridan and wrote: "This is just dumb! There's room for everyone... who cares Taylor? It's coffee that he sells in a coffee shop. Just make your coffee that much better and the people will find you. Bad look for Taylor imo. Seemingly a good dude, but bad look."

"Taylor Sheridan really wants everyone to hate him," added a third one.

A fourth one added, "Dude... is it alright if some other folks make a little money too ?"

Another one slammed the creator and added, "This guy must really want to kill off Yellowstone really bad."

"How petty," exclaimed another one.

"Taylor Sheridan keeps shooting himself in the foot," chimed in another one.