Dr Pepper Inc. Resolves Legal Battles In Texas

Dr Pepper has taken strides to make sure they are the only "doctor" on the market.

Dr Pepper Snapple Inc. sent a cease and desist letter to a Texan company, Bryan Wilder's Oak Cliff Soda, after finding out they were making syrup for a generic soft drink called "Dr. Pepper." The company is made of two employees and sells soda syrup to local companies, according to WFAA in Dallas.

When the company received the letter, its namesake, Bryan Wilder, said he dropped the name immediately, but told WFAA that he did not understand why he was being targeted when other companies, including Kroger and Walmart make their own generic brands with "Dr" in the name.

"I think it's a clear case of corporate bullying," he said.

This is the latest in an all-out Dr Pepper feud in Texas, after Dublin company Dr Pepper Bottling Co., which created an old-fashion cane sugar version of the soda, shut down after court proceedings with Dr. Pepper Snapple Inc.

The bigger company will now take over the smaller Dr Pepper Co. and continue to distribute the cane sugar soda in the Texas area, according to a press release. 

"Our main focus has always been on protecting the strength and integrity of the Dr Pepper trademark," Dr Pepper Snapple wrote in a press release.