The actor Pedro Pascal is taking legal action against a Chilean pisco brand named Pedro Piscal, which he claims infringes on his name and brand. The brand was registered by David Herrera in 2023 and has been sold in off-licences and restaurants across Chile.
Herrera, 41, said the name was a playful combination of the pedro ximénez grape and the word 'piscal', a term his family uses for a piscola drink. He expressed surprise at receiving legal threats from the Hollywood star, saying, 'Me, a mere mortal, getting emails from a superstar actor? It scared me a bit.'
Pascal, who was born in Chile and is widely admired there, did not attend court but filed to take control of the brand name. His lawyers have highlighted initial rulings transferring two online domains from Herrera to Pascal and the actor's successful trademark as reasons for optimism. Juan Pablo Silva, the managing partner at the firm representing Pascal, declined to comment on the ongoing case but noted a decision could come before the end of the year.
Herrera is not alone in facing legal challenges over a pun. A honey business called Miel Gibson successfully defended its name against actor Mel Gibson, and a bakery named Superpan won a case against DC Comics in 2020. Similarly, Star Wash, a car wash using Star Wars themes, won an initial battle with Lucasfilm but awaits a final ruling.
Herrera remains defiant, stating, 'I don't regret it for a moment.' He insists the brand does not use Pascal's face or likeness, adding, 'We're just selling a good product.'
