'Bud' battle meets conclusion in Hungary
protector of the 'Budweiser' and 'Bud' names, and the Czech brewer
Budejovicky Budvar came to an end this week when the Hungarian
patent office ruled in favour of Anheuser-Busch.
One more battle between US beer group Anheuser-Busch, global protector of the 'Budweiser' and 'Bud' names, and the Czech brewer Budejovicky Budvar came to an end this week when the Hungarian patent office ruled in favour of Anheuser-Busch.
The office concluded that the term "Bud" was not geographical and therefore has no reference to the city where Budejovicky Budvar is located.
The announcement follows hot on the heels of that of the Italian Court of Cassation in September that confirmed Anheuser-Busch only has the right to use the Budweiser and Bud names in Italy, a ruling which obliges Czech group Budejovicky Budvar to stop selling its beer under that name.
"The decision by the Hungarian patent and trademark office to deny Budejovicky Budvar's appellation of origin claim is another significant win for Anheuser-Busch and Budweiser," said Stephen J. Burrows, president and chief executive officer of Anheuser-Busch International. "It is also a serious blow to Budejovicky Budvar's claims regarding the validity of its appellation of origin claims. Anheuser-Busch began using the Budweiser trademark in 1876, 19 years before Budejovicky Budvar was established."
The legal dispute in Hungary began in 1998 when Anheuser-Busch initially petitioned to cancel Budejovicky Budvar's appellation of origin in Hungary.
This recent victory joins nine other successful moves around the world to prevent Budvar from using or registering Budweiser.
