The supposed Sierra Mist lawsuit became a viral online story after content creator Cierra Mistt claimed that PepsiCo had taken legal action against her because her online name sounded similar to its Sierra Mist soda brand.
However, no publicly verifiable lawsuit, court judgment or settlement between PepsiCo and Cierra Mistt has been identified as of August 3, 2026. There is also no evidence that the alleged dispute forced PepsiCo to discontinue Sierra Mist or rename the product Starry.
What Did Cierra Mistt Claim?
Cierra Mistt is an online creator known for posting travel, airline and lifestyle content. In videos published during 2023, she suggested that PepsiCo had accused her of trademark infringement because “Cierra Mistt” sounds similar to “Sierra Mist.”
One February 2023 video reportedly claimed that PepsiCo tried to sue her and lost. Its description said that the conflict had been “amicably resolved.” She discussed the matter again in a July 2023 video but said she could not provide full details for legal reasons.
Her statements led many viewers to believe that she had defeated PepsiCo in court or obtained the Sierra Mist trademark. Neither claim is supported by publicly available legal records.
Was an Actual Lawsuit Filed?
No identifiable complaint has been produced showing that PepsiCo sued Cierra Mistt.
A real lawsuit would normally provide basic information such as:
- The court handling the case
- A case or docket number
- The names of the parties
- The legal claims
- A filing date
- A judgment, dismissal or settlement document
None of those records has been publicly connected to the viral dispute. It is possible that PepsiCo sent a private warning or cease-and-desist letter, but such a letter is not the same as a lawsuit.
A company may send a cease-and-desist letter to protect a trademark without filing anything in court. The recipient may respond, negotiate or simply continue using the disputed name.
Did Cierra Mistt Obtain the Sierra Mist Trademark?
There is no reliable evidence that Cierra Mistt purchased or acquired PepsiCo’s trademark.
Federal trademark records continue to identify PepsiCo as the owner of registered Sierra Mist marks. One registration covering carbonated beverages and drink syrups was registered in November 2018, while another Sierra Mist registration covering concentrates and syrups is listed as registered and renewed.
This evidence contradicts the popular claim that PepsiCo accidentally allowed the Sierra Mist name to expire and that the creator then took ownership of it.
A discontinued product does not automatically lose trademark protection. Companies may continue maintaining trademarks even when a product is no longer widely sold.
Why Did PepsiCo Replace Sierra Mist With Starry?
PepsiCo officially launched Starry nationwide on January 11, 2023. The company described it as a new lemon-lime soda with regular and zero-sugar versions.
PepsiCo said demand for lemon-lime soda had grown and that consumers needed another option in a category dominated by one major brand. It also described Starry as having a new recipe with a stronger balance of lemon-lime flavour and sweetness.
The official announcement presented Starry as a product and marketing strategy. It did not mention Cierra Mistt, a trademark loss or a court order.
The timing also weakens the viral story. Starry was already launched nationwide in January 2023, while the creator’s widely reported TikTok claim appeared in February 2023.
Were There Other Sierra Mist Lawsuits?
PepsiCo has been involved in older legal disputes in which the Sierra Mist trademark or product was mentioned.
For example, PepsiCo obtained an injunction in a case involving novelty “can safes” that used PepsiCo beverage branding, including Sierra Mist, without permission. That case was against Ram Traders and had nothing to do with Cierra Mistt or the Starry rebrand.
Search results may therefore show genuine court cases containing the Sierra Mist name, but they do not prove the viral influencer story.
Is There a Sierra Mist Settlement Claim?
No. There is no Sierra Mist class-action settlement or consumer claim form.
There is no confirmed:
- Settlement fund
- Payment amount
- Claims administrator
- Eligibility period
- Filing deadline
- Court-approved notice
Websites promising Sierra Mist settlement payments should be treated cautiously unless they identify a real court case and official administrator.
Current Status
The Sierra Mist lawsuit is best described as an unverified social-media claim rather than a documented court case.
Cierra Mistt publicly suggested that she had faced legal action from PepsiCo, but no supporting complaint, judgment or settlement has been released. PepsiCo continues to hold registered Sierra Mist trademarks, and its official explanation for launching Starry focused on product innovation and competition in the lemon-lime soda market.
