Thelonious Monk Estate Sues North Coast Brewing

The Thelonious Monk Estate has filed a lawsuit against Fort Bragg, California-based North Coast Brewing over the use of the jazz pianist’s name and image on one of their best-selling beers as well as on brewery merchandise.

The Monk estate had previously given verbal permission to North Coast to use Thelonious Monk’s image in the sale of the beer in exchange for the brewery’s agreement to donate some profits to the Thelonious Monk Institute of Jazz, (a nonprofit jazz program with locations in LA and DC).

But as the Drinks Business reports, Monk’s son, jazz drummer TS Monk, who administrates the estate, “revoked that permission in January 2016 after learning that the brewery had expanded its range to sell 17 other items referencing his father, including cups, hoodies, mouse pads, soap, t-shirts and tap handles.”

The lawsuit, which according to the SF Gate is seeking more than $75,000 in damages seeking unspecified monetary damages, claims the brewery was never given permission to use Monk’s image on other merchandise.

One of the most influential jazz musicians of all time, Thelonious Monk is best known for his part in defining a unique style of jazz known as bebop and for classic songs such as “‘Round Midnight.”

Monk died in 1982.

North Coast Brother Thelonious is a 9.4% dark Abbey Ale. And given the beer’s iconic name, its popularity, and distinct label design, we’ll be watching this story closely.