The popular Swedish vodka producer the Absolut Company brought in the new year by filing several trademark applications for non-fungible tokens (NFTs) and the metaverse.
On January 1st, Web3’s trusted intellectual property attorney, Mike Kondoudis, confirmed that Absolut filed trademark applications with the United States Patents and Trademark Office (USPTO) related to NFTs and the metaverse. The trademark applications were filed on December 27th.
The patents were filed for the company’s Malibu rum brand in the following areas:
- Virtual clothing, footwear, headwear, eyewear, and alcoholic drinks
- NFTs and other application tokens
- NFT trading software
- NFT trading marketplaces
- Stores for virtual goods & NFTs
- Virtual bars & restaurants
In addition, the alcohol manufacturer plans to offer mobile application, downloadable software, and cloud-based solutions for completing cryptocurrency and NFT-related transactions, and for trading and storing crypto and digital assets.
Although the trademarks are a big move by Absolut, it is not the spirit brand’s first foray into Web3. In April, the brand opened a metaverse experience called Absolut.Land in the Decentraland metaverse where users could win prizes like NFT wearables and discounts on Absolut spirits.
The Absolut Company was established in 1917 and is known around the world for its international spirits like Absolut Vodka, Kahlúa, and its coconut flavored rum Malibu.
Alcohol Companies Fully Embrace Web3
A few years ago, the idea of alcohol companies investing in the metaverse might have sounded ludicrous. Virtual booze? — huh? But the truth is Web3 tech and the metaverse have several use-cases for alcohol and beverage companies, and 2022 saw many of companies taking advantage. Here are some of the top stories from alcohol companies in Web3.
First, on September 13th, the global whiskey maker Jack Daniel’s filed several Web3-related trademarks with the USPTO. The trademarks were related to NFT-authenticated media, virtual beverages and clothing, barware, and digital wallets.
Next, the legendary cognac producer Rémy Martin announced it was dropping its first NFT in collaboration with iconic R&B superstar Usher. “The Usher x Rémy Martin 1738: A Taste of Passion” NFT was released on the Web3 platform Blockbar. It featured a limited-edited bottle of Rémy Martin 1738 Accord Royal decorated with art created by artificial intelligence.
Finally, the global whiskey brand Johnie Walker also partnered with Web3 alcohol platform Blockbar, as well as Vayner3, and 88rising to release an exclusive Johnnie Walker Blue Label bottle and NFT collection. The collection included 250 NFTs featuring artwork from Vandy the Pink — a famous American streetwear designer.
The use-cases for the metaverse and Web3 technologies are evolving at a rapid pace, and alcohol companies around the world are taking advantage. We’ll have to be patient to see what Absolut does with its Web3 trademarks once they are approved. Here at Rarity Sniper, we’ll keep our eyes and ears open for any new developments in the story.