Yellowstone Creator Taylor Sheridan Sues Star Cole Hauser’s Coffee Company

A legal battle is brewing between the creator of Yellowstone and one of its stars.

Showrunner Taylor Sheridan’s Bosque Ranch filed a lawsuit against actor Cole Hauser’s coffee company, Free Rein, in the Northern District of Texas on Nov. 21.

The court filing, obtained by PEOPLE, accuses Free Rein of “trademark infringement, unfair competition and false advertising," noting that both companies use branding marks with two overlapping letters.

The lawsuit alleges, “Neither Hauser nor the Defendants asked or received permission or authorization of Sheridan or Bosque Ranch to use a mark confusingly similar to the BR Brand for virtually identical goods.”

PEOPLE reached out to Free Rein for comment Wednesday, but did not receive an immediate response. Bosque Ranch's legal team declined to comment.

Sheridan’s Weatherford, Texas, ranch partnered with the Community Coffee brand in June to begin producing Bosque Ranch Craft Coffee.

Hauser, who plays Rip Wheeler on Paramount’s hit Western drama, launched his Free Rein Coffee Company in October. 

The brand was conceived as a “nod to the rugged spirit of the West” that would pay tribute to “the hard working cowboys that [Hauser] grew up around on and off set," according to a statement from the company ahead of the launch.

The small-batch facility is located in San Angelo, Texas, and had been roasting coffee beans for over 25 years before it was bought by Hauser. The brand’s six blends each have cowboy-inspired names, such as Heavy Spur and American Dirt. 

“With Free Rein, we're not only crafting a premium coffee experience, but also paying a heartfelt homage to the American Dream,” Hauser, who grew up in Santa Barbara and on a ranch in Oregon, said in the release. 

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He continued, “As a nation built on dreams and aspirations, we want to inspire the go-getters, the dreamers, and the believers to fuel their pursuits. Just as the American Dream knows no boundaries, we aim to exceed expectations and create a legacy of our own—one that is deeply connected to our roots and the core values that shaped us. I am so excited for everyone to finally have their hands on this coffee!”

In May, Paramount announced the Kevin Costner-led series is coming to an end after Yellowstone's fifth season. The first half of season 5 debuted in November 2022, while the second half will air in November 2024 after being pushed back one year due to the writers' strike.