KNOXVILLE (WATE) - The dispute over a Knoxville brewery's name has flared up again.
Marble City Brewing Company has circulated an open letter calling on Marble Brewery in New Mexico to drop its federal lawsuit.
Marble Brewery claims it received the federal trademark for marble when it comes to beer and brewing in 2007.
Marble City says there's no chance sophisticated craft beer drinkers could get the two confused.
The two companies had been in mediation. Marble City's letter says the two sides came to an agreement, but Marble's ownership backed out.
Marble Brewery President Jeff Jinnett disputes that, saying items were discussed, but an agreement wasn't reached.
Court records say the mediation ended without a resolution.
Marble City's letter says the company can't get bank financing and can't expand if it agreed to Marble Brewery's demands. Brewery Co-founder Jonathan Borsodi calls it "trademark bullying."
Jinnett says he's concerned a competitor could buy the Knoxville brewery and hurt his business.
