Illinois State Court Issues Strong Ruling for the Illinois Beer Industry Fair Dealing Act

Illinois Circuit Court Judge Dorothy French Mallen conducted a five-week trial in a dispute from the litigious Shelton Brothers and their attempt to void distribution deals in the state of Illinois.  This case has a long history and originally started with a claim by Shelton Brothers against a distributor it sought to terminate seven years…Read More

The United States Supreme Court Denies Total Wine’s Request for Certiorari on Challenge to Connecticut’s Alcohol Pricing Regulations

The Supreme Court issued orders this morning from its recent conference and has denied a review of the 2nd Circuit’s decision upholding Connecticut’s alcohol pricing regulations from attack by Total Wine.   This resolves the most high profile antitrust challenge to state alcohol laws currently in the court system. The Supreme Court’s order can be found…Read More

8th Circuit Upholds Striking Of Missouri Tied House Law and Advertising Regulation as Violation of First Amendment

In a relatively short decision, the 8th Circuit upheld the district court decision striking a Missouri statute and two regulations related to advertising the prices of alcohol. The fourteen page opinion was written by Circuit Judge Jane Kelly.  She agreed with the district court that the state of Missouri had not proven its case for…Read More

One Less Circuit Court Case Reviewing State Alcohol Laws – 10th Circuit Appeal Withdrawn

The Plaintiffs challenging Wyoming state alcohol laws in the 10th Circuit voluntarily withdrew their appeal ending their challenge. Phoenix Vineyards operated a form of “winery Tupperware party” where their representatives would visit houses and drum up support for their wines.  The state of Wyoming noted that this sounded very much like a sale requiring a…Read More

State Attorneys General Call For End to Illegal Alcohol Sales Online

46 State Attorneys General have weighed in with letters to Facebook, Craigslist, and Ebay asking them to take more steps to prevent the illegal sale of alcohol on their platforms. Unlicensed sales risk great harm to public health, alcohol company brands, tax collection and are a growing concern with the growth of counterfeit and fake…Read More