WASHINGTON (WUSA9) -- It's a landmark free speech case about advertising that's been raging for six years. It could have a big impact on what you see on TV and on billboards across the country.
It all started over a bottle of beer.
"We stand for more than just beer. This is about more than just a beer label. This is about government officials, violating constitutional freedom bit by bit," said Jim Caruso, the CEO at the Flying Dog.
Michigan's liquor commission refused to let Flying Dog Brewery sell the Raging Bitch brand.
The company first tried to register the name in 2009. The Commission called the beer's label "detrimental to the health safety or welfare of the general public." That ban was lifted after only a few months but Flying Dog pursued the lawsuit over a bigger issue: the First Amendment.
As for the five letter word in the name on that one type of ale most patrons agree the name should not be problematic.
There's no indication that Michigan plans to appeal the case to the U.S. Supreme Court and Caruso says they are now working on "damages" the state will pay.
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