Leigh Ann Lindquist of Sughrue Mion successfully defended Sunkist Growers in a pivotal appeal before the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit, securing a decision on July 23, 2025, that blocked Intrastate Distributors Inc. from registering the “Kist” trademark for its beverages.

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit, observing that the case "concerns kisses, sunlight, and soft drinks," agreed with Sunkist, that the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office should have rejected Intrastate Distributors Inc's "Kist" trademark because it could create confusion with Sunkist's orange sodas.

IDI applied for a federal trademark covering "Kist" in 2019. The USPTO rejected Sunkist's opposition to the application in 2023, finding that IDI's brand would not confuse consumers because Sunkist's marketing references the sun while Kist's references kissing.

The Federal Circuit reversed the USPTO's ruling and blocked IDI's federal trademark on Wednesday. 

Sunkist wins US court appeal to block 'Kist' trademark | Reuters