In December 2014, Maker’s Mark was hit with a putative class action lawsuit challenging its use of the claim “Handmade.” According to the complaint, Maker’s Mark Whisky’s manufacturing process uses a mechanized and/or automated process with little to no human supervision, assistance, or involvement. If the whiskey was originally “handmade,” does the subsequent mechanization cause the original product to no longer be “handmade”? For that matter, what does “handmade” mean? Does it have value as a marketing term? Maker’s Mark is not the first company to have its “handmade” claims challenged, and according to the lawsuits, products labeled as “handmade” sell for a premium. Thus, could “handmade” claims be the next target for significant class action litigation? Continue reading ““Handmade” Claims Next Target for Class Action Litigation?” →