E-Malt.com News article: 2781

US, New York: Miller Brewing Co., a unit of SABMiller Plc', said on June 14 it dropped part of a legal complaint against rival Anheuser-Bush Cos Inc. Miller Brewing filed a lawsuit against Anheuser-Busch on May 26, claiming the top U.S. brewer was making "false and misleading statements" about Miller Lite in its advertising.

In one element of the case, Miller Brewing took issue with a new Anheuser-Busch print advertisement touting Bud Light as "The King of Beers" and calling Miller Lite "The Queen of Carbs," a dig at Miller Lite commercials that specify the amount of carbohydrates the product contains. "We are removing from the complaint the queen of carbs issue, which was scheduled for a preliminary injunction hearing on June 29," Miller Brewing spokesman Scott Bussen said on Monday.

The other issues coming out of the May 26 lawsuit will continue on the schedule the court determines, Bussen said. Miller Brewing's lawsuit also claims that Anheuser-Busch's distributors have been placing Anheuser-Busch stickers on Miller Lite cases, cans, bottles and advertising displays, Miller Brewing said in a court filing. The tactics are part of the struggle between the companies, which are competing for weight-conscious consumers with their Bud Light and Miller Lite brands, Miller Brewing has said.

An Anheuser Bush spokesman has said that placing stickers on a competitor's packaging is against company policy. Wall Street analysts have noted that Anheuser-Busch has stepped up its marketing against Miller Lite, which has made some share gains in recent months.


16 June, 2004