Hi, I’m Orland Howell. I’ve spent four years writing about lawsuits and legal stuff in a way that’s easy to understand. I help law firms and regular people like you make sense of tricky topics. In this article, I’ll explain the Cierra Mist lawsuit story clearly. We’ll look at what happened, why it got so popular online, and what the facts show. I use only true information from public records to keep it honest. Let’s dive in!
What Is the Cierra Mist Lawsuit?
The Cierra Mist lawsuit story got huge on social media in 2023 and is still talked about in 2025. It’s about a big company, a famous online creator, and a name that sounds like a soda.
Cierra Mistt is a TikTok star who makes funny videos about being a flight attendant. She’s used the name “Cierra Mistt” for years, even back when people chatted on AOL Instant Messenger, an old internet tool. In July 2023, Cierra shared a YouTube video saying PepsiCo, the company that makes Pepsi and Mountain Dew, sent her a scary legal letter. This letter, called a cease-and-desist, told her to stop using her name because it was too close to their soda, Sierra Mist.
Sierra Mist was a lemon-lime soda PepsiCo sold for over 20 years, starting in 1999. It was like Sprite, made by Coca-Cola. In early 2023, PepsiCo stopped selling Sierra Mist and started a new soda called Starry. They said Starry was for young people who want a fun, fresh drink.
In her video, Cierra said PepsiCo changed the soda’s name because of her. She claimed they thought she was copying their brand. Then, she said her lawyer found out PepsiCo’s trademark for Sierra Mist had expired. A trademark is like a legal tag that says, “This name is ours for business.” Cierra said she took the trademark and even said no to millions of dollars from PepsiCo to give it back. Her fans loved this story of a regular person beating a big company.
But is this the real story? I’ve studied many trademark fights, and viral stories often mix truth with big exaggerations. Let’s check the facts. There’s no public court case about this. No proof shows Cierra won a big fight. PepsiCo’s records tell a different tale. This isn’t about a huge lawsuit. It’s about a letter, some business choices, and how fast rumors spread online.
Who Is Cierra Mistt and Why Did Her Story Get So Big?
Cierra Mistt is a popular TikTok creator. Her videos often get over a million views. She shares funny stories about being a flight attendant, like handling rude passengers or giving travel tips. People like her because she’s real and easy to relate to. She used “Cierra Mistt” long before Sierra Mist soda became famous. In trademark fights, it matters who used a name first.
In her July 2023 YouTube video, Cierra showed the cease-and-desist letter. She read parts of it, sounding shocked and a bit scared. PepsiCo’s lawyers said her name might confuse people. For example, someone might think her videos were ads for their soda or that she was selling fake drinks. Companies send these letters to protect their money and brand.
The video got super popular. TikTok loves stories where a regular person fights a big company. Fans wrote things like, “Go, Cierra!” or “Pepsi’s scared of you!” The story spread to Twitter (now called X) and Reddit. On Reddit, people argued if it was true or just a way to get more followers. An X post from May 2025 joked that a “social media star” made PepsiCo change their soda’s name. That’s how crazy the story got.
Cierra kept people excited with more videos. She said she hired a lawyer and won the trademark. She also said PepsiCo offered her money to stop, but she said no. This made her a hero to other creators who worry about big companies coming after them. In 2025, with more influencers getting similar letters, her story still gets shared. But there are holes in her story, as I’ll show next.
From my four years writing about lawsuits, I know viral stories start with a small truth, like the letter, but grow into something bigger. I’ve seen tiny disagreements turn into “huge wins” online. The truth needs court papers or official records. Cierra’s story grabbed people because it felt exciting. Who wouldn’t cheer for a flight attendant taking on a soda giant?
The Timeline: From Sierra Mist to Starry and the Letter
To find the truth, we need to know what happened when. A clear timeline helps separate facts from rumors. Here’s what happened, based on public information.
- 1999: PepsiCo started selling Sierra Mist, a lemon-lime soda to compete with Sprite. By 2003, it was in stores all over the U.S.
- 2010: PepsiCo made a “natural” Sierra Mist with real sugar instead of corn syrup to attract people who wanted healthier drinks.
- 2013: They tried a new version called “Mist Twst,” but it wasn’t popular and didn’t last.
- 2021: Sierra Mist sales dropped by 20%. PepsiCo needed something new.
- January 2023: PepsiCo stopped selling Sierra Mist and launched Starry, a new lemon-lime soda with a cool look and ads for young people. Starry has real fruit juice and no high-fructose corn syrup, different from Sierra Mist.
- Early 2023: Around this time, Cierra got the cease-and-desist letter from PepsiCo. She didn’t share the exact date, but it matches the Starry launch time.
- July 2023: Cierra posted her YouTube video. It got millions of views. She said PepsiCo’s trademark expired, her team took it, and PepsiCo lost.
- 2024-2025: The story stayed alive online. No court records showed up in public databases like PACER, where U.S. lawsuits are listed. Blogs and fact-checking sites looked into it. X posts, like one in February 2025, said Cierra caused the rebrand. Another post in April shared an article saying her claims weren’t true.
This timeline shows PepsiCo planned the rebrand before the letter. The letter was probably a normal step, as big companies send these to protect their brands. Cierra’s video made it seem like she caused the name change. In my work, I’ve seen stories get mixed up like this. Real legal fights take months or years, and no court records from 2023 match her story.
What Do PepsiCo’s Trademark Records Say?
Did PepsiCo lose their trademark? Let’s look at the facts to clear things up. Trademarks protect brand names, logos, and slogans. Companies must renew them every 10 years and show they’re still using the name.
The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) keeps these records. PepsiCo filed for the “Sierra Mist” trademark in 2001. It was approved in 2002 with registration number 2580465 for soft drinks and syrups. They renewed it in 2012 and again in 2022, just before the rebrand. As of September 2025, the trademark is active. It never expired, and it wasn’t given to Cierra.
I also checked for “Cierra Mist” or “Cierra Mistt” in the USPTO database. There are no registrations or applications in her name. If she filed for a trademark, it would be public because trademarks need a notice period for others to challenge them.
PepsiCo protects more than just the name. They own trademarks for Sierra Mist logos, bottle designs, and old ads. Even after stopping sales, they keep these active for possible future use. This is a smart move, and I’ve advised law firms on similar strategies. Giving up a trademark is like giving money to competitors.
Cierra said the “copyright” expired, but that’s likely a mistake. Copyrights are for things like books or music, not brand names. She probably meant trademark, but the records don’t support her claim. Fact-checking sources, like Stemer Law in 2025, confirmed PepsiCo owns multiple Sierra Mist trademarks. No fight with Cierra caused the rebrand.
In simple words, PepsiCo’s records are clear. They own Sierra Mist. The letter to Cierra was probably to avoid future problems, not a sign they lost anything.
Why Did PepsiCo Switch to Starry?
If it wasn’t a lawsuit, why did PepsiCo replace Sierra Mist with Starry? It was a business choice. Sierra Mist never beat Sprite in sales. By 2022, it was losing to healthier drinks and energy drinks. PepsiCo wanted a new soda with a bold taste, cool packaging, and ads with celebrities to attract young people. Starry launched in 2023 and sold better right away.
Rebrands happen a lot. For example, Twitter changed to X, and some candy bars get new names or wrappers to stay popular. PepsiCo said Starry is for “fun optimists,” a catchy way to describe young people who want exciting drinks. Their press releases never mentioned Cierra or a lawsuit.
The letter and the rebrand happening at the same time was likely a coincidence. Big companies check social media for names that might confuse people. When they saw “Cierra Mistt” getting popular, they sent a normal legal notice. But the rebrand was already planned for months.
From my years writing about lawsuits, I know most rebrands are quiet business decisions. Lawsuits make noise with court papers, news, and payments. This case has none of those.
Answers to Common Questions About the Story
Viral stories create lots of questions. Here are clear answers based on facts.
Did Cierra Mistt Win a Lawsuit Against PepsiCo?
No. There’s no record of a court case. I checked databases like PACER, and no lawsuits show up between Cierra and PepsiCo. She said it settled outside court, but there’s no proof, like payment papers. Real settlements often get talked about, but this one hasn’t.
Why Did PepsiCo Send the Letter?
To protect their brand. PepsiCo acts early to avoid confusion, like people thinking Cierra’s videos are soda ads. These letters are common and usually get sorted out quietly.
Could Cierra Have Taken the Trademark?
Not really. You can’t take an active trademark without the owner’s permission. PepsiCo’s trademark is active, so no sale happened. Her claim of filing for it has no record in the USPTO.
Is Starry the Same as Sierra Mist?
Kind of. They’re both lemon-lime sodas, but Starry has a new recipe. Some people like it better; others miss Sierra Mist. The change was planned, not forced.
These myths stick around because they’re fun, but facts matter more in legal fights.
What This Means for Creators and Companies in 2025
This story isn’t just about soda—it’s a lesson for online creators and big companies. Influencers like Cierra build their brands on their names, but trademarks protect business profits, not fame. If your name sounds like a product, you might get a legal letter.
For companies, this shows why they need to watch social media. One viral creator can start rumors that hurt stock prices or customer trust. PepsiCo stayed quiet, which let the story grow. A short statement could have stopped the rumors.
In 2025, with AI making content faster, these fights will happen more. Creators should register their names as trademarks early—it costs about $250 per category. Companies should renew trademarks on time and talk clearly instead of sending scary letters.
As someone who’s written about lawsuits for years, I’ve seen creators win small wins by talking, not fighting in court. Cierra might have made a quiet deal, but without proof, it’s just a guess. The lesson is to check facts before sharing and look at USPTO.gov for trademark info—it’s free and simple.
Conclusion:
To wrap up, the Cierra Mist lawsuit story shows why we should question viral tales. It started with a real letter but turned into a myth about stealing trademarks and forcing rebrands. PepsiCo’s records prove they still own Sierra Mist, with no expiration or loss. Starry is doing well because of smart marketing, not a legal escape. Cierra is great at making videos, not winning court battles. In a world where social media spreads stories fast, take time to check the truth. If you’re a creator or business owner, act now. Register your trademark. Watch for name conflicts. Real wins come from facts, not social media likes.
Thanks for reading. Have questions about trademarks or lawsuits? Leave a comment—I’m here to explain in simple words.
Disclaimer: This article is for information only and is not legal advice. Laws and regulations can change, so you should talk to a qualified lawyer for advice about your specific situation. All information in this article comes from public sources available as of September 26, 2025, and has been carefully checked for accuracy. Orland Howell is not responsible for any actions taken based on this article.
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Orland Howell is a seasoned content writer with four years of deep expertise in crafting compelling and informative content about lawsuit settlements. With a keen understanding of legal nuances and a talent for translating complex topics into clear, engaging narratives, Orland helps law firms, legal professionals, and clients communicate effectively. His work spans blog posts, articles, whitepapers, and website content, all designed to educate, inform, and drive results. Passionate about empowering audiences with knowledge, Orland combines precision, creativity, and industry insight to deliver content that resonates and builds trust.
