In a recent legal battle, the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee has filed a lawsuit against Prime Hydration, a drink company co-founded by YouTube personalities Logan Paul and KSI. The committee accuses Prime Hydration of willful and blatant trademark infringement by using protected terms such as "Olympic" and "Team USA" in promoting their sports drink, which features basketball star Kevin Durant.

According to the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee, Coca-Cola holds the exclusive rights to use Olympic trademarks on beverages in the United States, including the words "Olympic" and "Team USA." With the upcoming Paris Olympics in 2024, the committee discovered that Prime Hydration had been using these trademarks without permission. Consequently, the committee filed the lawsuit in the U.S. District Court for the District of Colorado, seeking both the profits generated from the infringing products and millions of dollars in damages.

The lawsuit specifically highlights Prime Hydration's drink, which features Kevin Durant, a prominent member of the U.S. Olympic basketball team aiming to secure his fourth gold medal this summer. The packaging, online ads, and promotions for Prime Hydration's drink prominently display Olympic-related terms, such as Olympic, Olympian, Team USA, and Going for Gold, which all belong to the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee.

The committee's lawyer had reportedly reached out to Prime Hydration on July 10, instructing them to cease using the unauthorized trademarks. Despite the warning, Prime Hydration continued to distribute the drink to stores and even featured it on their LinkedIn account.

Prime Hydration, founded in 2022 by Logan Paul and KSI, has faced controversy in the past. Doctors and lawmakers criticized the company for the excessive caffeine levels in their Prime Energy drink, raising concerns about potential harm to children. Senator Chuck Schumer of New York called for an investigation by the Food and Drug Administration into the caffeine content, comparing it to six 12-ounce cans of Coke.

In response to the allegations, Prime Hydration stated last year that their energy drink was clearly labeled as not intended for individuals under the age of 18. The company also maintained that their caffeine levels were comparable to other popular energy drinks and compliant with FDA guidelines.

The U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee's lawsuit underscores the importance of protecting Olympic trademarks, as Coca-Cola's sponsorship deal helps fund the U.S. Olympic team. Unauthorized use of these trademarks by other companies poses a threat to the value and exclusivity of the partnership.

Prime Hydration has yet to respond to requests for comment regarding the lawsuit. As the legal battle unfolds, the U.S. Olympic Committee aims to enforce its trademark rights and safeguard the integrity of Olympic branding in the United States.