Latest news with #CopadiVino
Time Business News
15-07-2025
- Business
- Time Business News
James Martin Copa Di Vino Sued by Francis Ford Coppola
James Martin , the founder of Copa Di Vino, gained national attention after his appearances on ABC's 'Shark Tank' in 2011 and 2012, where he pitched his innovative single-serve wine product. Despite the exposure, Martin's journey has been marred by controversy and legal challenges. During his 'Shark Tank' appearances, Martin's confrontational demeanor, non-stop sweating during the business pitch, and refusal to negotiate deals led to friction with the show's investors. Kevin O'Leary, one of the 'Sharks,' expressed his frustration, stating , 'I'm very frustrated with that guy'. In addition to his abrasive negotiations, Martin misrepresented key aspects of his business. He falsely claimed to have created the methodology for bottling the wine and to own the patent. However, the US patent that Copa Di Vino 'founder' James Martin claimed to hold was registered in France ( CA2430159A1 ) and belongs to the French bottler, Pascal Carvin. In 2014, Copa Di Vino partnered with 3G's Vino, a distributor founded by Joseph Falcone. Unbeknownst to Martin, Falcone was orchestrating a fraudulent scheme, using the association with Copa Di Vino's 'Shark Tank' fame to solicit investments. He misappropriated approximately $527,000 for personal expenses, including paying off a Florida mortgage and funding online securities trading. In 2020, Falcone was sentenced to two years in prison and ordered to pay $1.8 million in restitution to seven investors. Although Martin and Copa Di Vino were not implicated in Falcone's fraudulent activities, the association brought negative attention to the brand. Martin stated , 'Joseph Falcone did not pitch Copa di Vino on Shark Tank, nor was he ever an investor in the product… but was very saddened to hear that he was using our Copa di Vino brand to mislead investors'. Further adding to Copa Di Vino's legal troubles, in 2016, legendary filmmaker Francis Ford Coppola (The Godfather Trilogy) sued the Oregon-based vineyard, claiming that its 'Winemaker's Cut' product was a copycat of Coppola's own 'Director's Cut' wine. The lawsuit, filed in California federal court, accused Copa Di Vino of trademark and trade dress infringement, as well as unfair competition. The lawsuit highlighted similarities between the label designs of both wines and claimed that James Martin was fully aware of Coppola's 'Director's Cut' wine before launching his own similarly named product. The filing revealed that Martin had approached Coppola's winery in 2011 with a proposed business venture, further proving his knowledge of the brand. GMYL, the owner of Coppola's wine-related trademarks, filed the claim on August 30, 2016, at the US District Court for the Central District of California, arguing that Copa Di Vino and Martin engaged in unfair business practices. In 2020, Copa Di Vino was sold to Splash Beverage Group in a transaction valued at $5.9 million. Despite the sale, the brand continues to navigate the challenges stemming from its controversial past and the legal issues associated with its former distributor. James Martin's journey with Copa Di Vino serves as a cautionary tale about the complexities of business partnerships and the unforeseen consequences that can arise from associations with unscrupulous individuals. TIME BUSINESS NEWS
Associated Press
25-04-2025
- Business
- Associated Press
Per Regulatory Requirements, Splash Beverage Group Acknowledges Receipt of Late Filing Letter From NYSE American
FORT LAUDERDALE, FL - April 25, 2025 ( NEWMEDIAWIRE ) - Splash Beverage Group, Inc. (NYSE American: SBEV) ('Splash' or 'the Company'), a portfolio company of leading beverage brands received an official notice of noncompliance from NYSE Regulation stating that the Company is not in compliance with NYSE American (the 'Exchange') listing standards due to the failure to timely file the Company's Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2024 by the filing due date of April 15, 2025. The Company intends to regain compliance with the Exchange's listing standards. While there can be no assurance that the Company will ultimately regain compliance with all applicable Exchange listing standards, the Company is confident and maintains it will comply with all listing standards. About Splash Beverage Group Splash Beverage Group, an innovator in the beverage industry, owns a growing portfolio of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverage brands including Copa di Vino wine by the glass, SALT flavored tequilas, Chispo tequila and Pulpoloco sangria. Splash's strategy is to rapidly develop early-stage brands already in its portfolio as well as acquire, and then accelerate, brands that have high visibility or are innovators in their categories. Led by a management team that has built and managed some of the top brands in the beverage industry and has led sales from product launch into the billions, Splash is rapidly expanding its brand portfolio and global distribution. Follow Splash Beverage Group on Twitter: For more information visit: Forward-Looking Statement This press release includes 'forward-looking statements' within the meaning of U.S. federal securities laws. Words such as 'expect,' 'estimate,' 'project,' 'budget,' 'forecast,' 'anticipate,' 'intend,' 'plan,' 'may,' 'will,' 'could,' 'should,' 'believes,' 'predicts,' 'potential,' 'continue' and similar expressions are intended to identify such forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements involve significant risks and uncertainties that could cause the actual results to differ materially from the expected results and, consequently, you should not rely on these forward-looking statements as predictions of future events. These forward-looking statements and factors that may cause such differences include, without limitation, the risks disclosed in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC on March 29, 2024, and in the Company's other filings with the SEC. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance upon any forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date made. Except as required by law, the Company disclaims any obligation to update or publicly announce any revisions to any of the forward-looking statements contained in this press release. Contact Information: Splash Beverage Group [email protected] 954-745-5815 View the original release on
