SAN ANGELO, TX — ’Yellowstone’ creator Taylor Sheridan, through his legal team, requested Federal District Judge James Wesley Hendrix to drop the lawsuit filed by his ranch against actor Cole Hauser’s Free Rein Coffee, 901 S. Oakes St, San Angelo. The initial complaint centered on the similarity between the logo of Free Rein and Sheridan’s nascent coffee brand.
The lawsuit garnered significant attention on social media, where many perceived Sheridan as the aggressor. This perception, combined with Sheridan's challenges in completing the 5th season of ‘Yellowstone’ and his ongoing disagreements with series star Kevin Costner, may have influenced his decision to back down.
The unexpected request to dismiss the case was recorded in the federal court docket on December 15, with a formal notice signed by Sheridan’s attorneys.
The document stated, “Plaintiff, BOSQUE RANCH HEADQUARTERS, LLC, hereby gives notice of its voluntary dismissal of its claims against Defendants, CODE OF THE WEST, LLC and FREE REIN LLC, doing business as FREE REIN COFFEE COMPANY.”
Choosing to dismiss the case with prejudice prevents Bosque Ranch Headquarters, LLC, owned by Sheridan, from filing an identical lawsuit against Hauser and company in the future.
Following the dismissal request, the defendants chose not to comment publicly. On December 20, Judge Hendrix officially dismissed the case, ruling that each party would bear its own legal costs.
Free Rein Coffee Company was founded when ‘Yellowstone’ star Cole Hauser and partners purchased the San Angelo start-up Long Horn Coffee Co. The name change was announced this past summer. At about the same time, Sheridan announced a partnership with Baton Rouge-based Community Coffee to launch his own brand with the Bosque Ranch. The “BR” brand logo prominent in its marketing. Free Rein Coffee uses a similar “FR” brand as a secondary logo. The dispute was over the design of the similar brands.
Cole Hauser performs as a significant actor in the hit series “Yellowstone” as ranch supervisor Rip Wheeler.
The lawsuit was filed in the Federal District Court Northern District of Texas in Lubbock on Nov. 21.
For more on Free Rein Coffee, see:
A Free rein Caoffe Co. delivery truck and motorhome stand at the ready at the San Angelo location of Free Rein Coffee Co.
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