DETROIT — Authorities said they arrested 13 people and seized more than $500,000 in cash after breaking up a smuggling ring that collected millions of beverage containers in other states and cashed them in for 10 cents apiece in Michigan.

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I don’t know how we missed this until now, but for about two weeks Jon Bon Jovi — you know, that New Jersey-loving singer who is largely famous because his guitar player went out with Heather Locklear — has been involved in a trademark skirmish over a guy’s right to sell a coffee-based energy drink called “Mijovi.” According to JBJ’s lawyer, Mijovi infringes on the world-famous Bon Jovi trademark.

The drink’s maker, Marcos Carrington — also from New Jersey — has a different story. Read the rest of this entry »

Recently, the American Beverage Association (ABA) said that it is considering a new guideline that will “recommend” that beverage manufacturers put caffeine content on the side of all soft drinks. It is being heralded as a proactive move for the industry, but is it enough?  After all, the ABA is supposed to be the “national voice” for the non-alcoholic beverage industry.

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