Don’t Get Too Excited. Rogue’s IP Assets Have Attracted Some Interest
As we reported, Rogue Ales & Spirits abruptly ceased operations at all of its facilities last November. Not long thereafter, we shared news that the company filed for bankruptcy. It was an unceremonious end for a nearly 40-year-old brand that helped propel the craft beer revolution forward. But wait, the Dead Guy is not entirely dead yet! As part of the process, the company’s intellectual property rights are up for sale and, to date, there’s a $400,000 offer on the table. Bidding continues through this week. Also, there are rumors about the possible future of Rogue’s more tangible, beery assets.
What does “IP assets” mean? Rogue’s IP rights include its website domain name (Rogue.com), beer recipes, biological strains, the right to propagate its proprietary yeast. Add to that its social media accounts, trademarks, brands, graphics, and all that jazz.
Not Very Beery
Does this mean that Rogue’s Dead Guy Ale may rise from the grave? Not likely, given the current offer, which comes from an English company that does not make beer. Silver Scope Media is a digital marketing and web design agency that provides custom-built websites, strategic search engine optimization (SEO), and online growth campaigns.
Search engine optimization is definitely not beer and definitely not very rogue. If nothing else, rogue.com is a desirable web property and, for the right business, $400k might be a steal. When evaluating its assets for bankruptcy purposes, Rogue Ale & Spirits valued its IP property rights at $2 million. That might have been optimistic.
Another Oregon-based business filed an objection to the sale of the IP assets, asserting that it has a “perpetual license” for Rogue’s wine and wine-based products. Valley View Winery trademarked “Rogue” in 1983, but a court settlement later granted Oregon Brewing (Rogue) the trademark rights. A hearing is scheduled for later this month to address that matter.
Will the Brewery Rise From the Dead?
In related news, there are rumors floating around that Rogue’s more tangible assets, like its brewing equipment, may find a new home. When, and if, those rumors become fact, I’ll share that news. Read a more detailed report on the potential sale of Rogue’s IP assets here.
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