We’ve spilled a lot of digital ink here over the past several years discussing the protection of non-traditional trademarks. We’ve also written about the importance of layering various intellectual property rights (trademark, copyright, and patent) to accomplish the competitive goals of a business. And, we’ve enjoyed writing about non-traditional vodka branding here and here

Randall Hull, The Br@nd Ranch®

In August 2012 I wrote about Sanrio’s well-known brand, HELLO KITTY and its appearance on customized assault rifles, as an example of unfortunate brand association.

To paraphrase the late Ronald Reagan, “Here we go again.”

This September, I guess just in time for the fall drinking season,