The Czech Republic: Heineken attempting to stop other brewers from using the term ‘Radler’

Heineken is attempting to stop competitors from using the term 'Radler' on their products, Czech media reported earlier this week.

Heineken is taking legal action against competitor brewers in Czech, in a bid to stop them using the term 'Radler' on their products.

Sources said the brewer has submitted court claims in the Czech Republic as it says 'Radler' is a registered trademark in the name of Heineken Ceska Republika (HCR). The term is used to describe a beer mixed with lemonade, known as shandy in the UK.

Brewers using the term on their products claim 'Radler' is a generic term, like beer, and cannot be legally protected.

It is understood Heineken is treating the case as a test case and could take further action in other European countries if successful.

Heineken said it was not commenting on the current cases until the proceedings had concluded.

20 June, 2012