Coke Faces Lawsuit on New Soft Drink

Naperville, Ill.-based Babson Bros. Co. has filed a federal lawsuit in Chicago to stop Coca-Cola from marketing its new orange-flavored soft drink, Surge. The dairy equipment products firm said it has held the trademark on the name since 1925. Babson said the trademark covers dairy equipment and clothing, such as shirts, caps and jackets. The company said its detergents and sanitizers are sold under the name Surge and packaged in green plastic bottles. The company said it is concerned that its containers could be confused with the soft drink, which Coke plans to launch during the Super Bowl. Coca-Cola, based in Atlanta, had no comment.