Girls Gone Wine Sues 'Girls Gone Wild'

BROKEN BOW, Okla. — Oklahoma winemakers Girls Gone Wine is suing Mantra Films in response to a cease-and-desist letter from the "Girls Gone Wild" producers.

"The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office has already said, 'There's no issue here. They can co-exist,'" said Martin Ozinga, attorney for Girls Gone Wine.

At issue is whether the three women behind the wine brand can keep their already trademarked name. Girls Gone Wine has been trademarked since February 2007.

"We will crush them," "Girls Gone Wild" founder Joe Francis told a reporter from jail in Reno, Nev. "This is blatant trademark infringement. It just backs up everything that people have tried to do to me over the last few years to take advantage of me and we're tired of it."

The women went to federal court after getting a letter in July from a Mantra Films attorney demanding they "immediately cease and desist any and all use" of the winery's name. The letter explained Mantra Films was prepared to take legal action if the women kept using the name.

The women struck first, reportedly so the issue could be resolved in court in Oklahoma rather than California.

"It always makes your gut clinch when you get that kind of thing," owner Michelle Finch said. "We're hopeful that it will all work out. If not, we'll just deal with that, too, if it ever comes. We're here. We're here to stay."

Finch, 44, said she doesn't think anyone would confuse her business with the DVD-selling business.

"We certainly hope we never are. We don't get people walking in the door looking for anything but wine," she said.

The company behind "Girls Gone Wild" has had to deal with this before, all over the world, said its general counsel, Michael Burke.

"It happens all the time," Burke said. "Mantra Films has spent several hundred million dollars over the last 10 years advertising its name endlessly on TV to build up the image that 'Girls Gone Wild' is a fun, party environment and these women are taking a free ride on all that advertisement and name recognition."

Related:  

Copyright © 2025 Adnet Media. All Rights Reserved. XBIZ is a trademark of Adnet Media.
Reproduction in whole or in part in any form or medium without express written permission is prohibited.

More News

Honey Play Box Introduces 'Vibrosa' Egg Vibe

Honey Play Box is debuting its new Vibrosa app-controlled egg vibrator.

XBIZ 2026 Conference to Debut All-New Company Lounges, Community Track

The event website for XBIZ 2026 is now live, offering information about North America’s largest adult industry conference, set to take place Jan. 12-15.

Maria May Makes Her WIFEY Debut

Creator Maria May stars with her husband Jeff, Hollywood Cash, and Jamie Knoxx in the latest release from Vixen Media Group studio imprint WIFEY.

ProDx Health Joins The Play as New Testing Partner, Launches 'Play Safe' Kit

ProDx Health has joined lifestyle organization Play LA as its new testing partner and marked the partnership with the launch of its Play Safe kit.

Cliterature Expands Pleasure Product Collection

Cliterature has expanded its collection of pleasure products.

Alexis James Stars in Latest BAM Visions Scene

Alexis James stars alongside multi-XMAs winner Mick Blue in a new scene co-directed by Blue and Maestro Claudio, aka BAM Visions, from Evil Angel.

Charlotte Sins Performs Her 1st Gangbang for Adult Time

Charlotte Sins performs her first gangbang in the latest release from Adult Time.

Cutting Edge Testing Joins PASS as New Partner

Performer Availability Screening Services (PASS) has added Cutting Edge Testing (CET) as a new testing partner.

Andylynn Payne, Emma Rosie Topline Joey Silvera's 'Trans-Active 32'

Andylynn Payne and Emma Rosie headline director Joey Silvera’s “Trans-Active 32” from Evil Angel.

Vince Karter Discusses Directing for Evil Angel

After 13 years on screen, Vince Karter has taken his talents to the other side of the camera. He recently made his studio directing debut for Evil Angel, where five scenes helmed by the two-time Euro XMAs Male Performer of the Year are already streaming on the site.

Show More