Scottish
drinks group William Grant & Sons has stressed that its purchase of Sailor
Jerry rum was “made in good faith” as it faces a lawsuit from the family of the
tattooist who inspired the brand. The
spiced rum pays homage to Norman Keith ‘Sailor Jerry’ Collins, a former naval
officer who later became a well-known tattoo artist with a unique and
distinctive style. Collins, who died in 1973, ran a tattoo shop in Honolulu,
Hawaii, for several years.
His
widow, Louise Collins, is now suing William Grant & Sons, which bought the
Sailor Jerry brand in 2008, for “unauthorised use and misappropriation of
Sailor Jerry’s name and persona”. According
to Louise Collins, William Grant & Sons “never sought or received
permission” from her to use Sailor Jerry’s likeness. “I am appalled to see what these folks have
done with Jerry’s name and legacy,” she said. “This was my husband, the father
of my children, and no one ever even asked our family for permission to use him
in this way.”
Legal
representatives of Louise Collins have called the use of Sailor Jerry’s
likeness “illegal” and are seeking to “secure a better financial future for his
family”. However, Glenfiddich maker
William Grant & Sons said the brand was “developed and protected by
multiple owners” before its acquisition, and that the group “undertook due
diligence, tracing back a number of decades, to ensure the purchase was fair
and lawful”.
A
spokesperson for the company said: “While we are not able to comment on any
pending litigation, William Grant & Sons has and always will hold Norman
Collins’ legacy in the highest regard. We have enormous respect for the family
of Norman Collins and have no desire to cause upset.” Representatives of William Grant & Sons
will meet with Louise Collins and her immediate family in Hawaii later this
week to discuss the matter and “fully understand their concerns and needs”.
“The aim of this meeting is to establish a
joint approach to ensure that Norman ‘Sailor Jerry’ Collins’ legacy is
protected and celebrated,” a statement from William Grant continued. Louise Collins and her family are being
represented by Honolulu law firm Davis Levin Livingston.
