HBO has instructed Jake Paul’s beverage brand Betr to withdraw a recent advertisement that features actors Jeremy Piven and Adrian Grenier. According to the original report from Passionfruit, HBO characterized the spot as an unauthorized echo of its series *Entourage*, which stars the two actors in their iconic roles. The demand centers on the use of the performers together in a context that HBO says evokes the show without permission.

Betr, launched by the influencer and boxer Jake Paul, has relied on high‑visibility marketing campaigns to build awareness in the competitive functional‑drink space. The brand frequently collaborates with celebrities and internet personalities to reach its target audience. This latest ad was intended to leverage the familiarity of Piven and Grenier, whose on‑screen chemistry defined *Entourage* during its original run from 2004 to 2011.

From an intellectual‑property perspective, HBO’s objection highlights the fine line between homage and infringement. While the ad does not reuse actual footage or dialogue from the series, the network argues that pairing the two actors in a commercial setting creates an unauthorized association with its property. Such claims can arise when a brand’s creative choices are deemed to capitalize on the goodwill or recognition tied to a protected work.

For creators and marketers, the incident serves as a reminder to scrutinize any use of celebrity likenesses or thematic references that could be construed as derivative of existing IP. Even when talent is secured individually, the combined presentation may trigger rights holder concerns, especially when the underlying work remains under active copyright or trademark protection.

Moving forward, Betr may need to either replace the advertisement, negotiate a licensing arrangement with HBO, or face potential legal action. Influencer‑driven brands should consider implementing IP clearance checks early in the creative process to avoid similar disputes and maintain smooth partnerships with both talent and content owners.