USA: Anheuser-Busch Cos. Inc. said May 29 it can air its new ads after it won two of three challenges to its advertising by SABMiller in U.S. District Court. The company said the judge allowed A-B to say in its advertising that Miller Brewing was purchased by South African Breweries and that it was South African-owned. However, the company was asked not to say "Miller is owned by South African Breweries."

The company recently launched several new radio and television ads that refer to Miller's South African ownership.

"While the judge's order does not permit us to say 'Miller is owned by South African Breweries,' we view that as a technicality having to do with the company's legal corporate name," said Francine Katz, vice president of communications and consumer affairs for A-B, in the statement. "That phrase appeared only in a limited number of retail marketing materials and will be easily replaced."

Last week, Miller Brewing sued A-B seeking to stop it from using what it said were false statements in its ads. It also claimed A-B's distributors were defacing Miller's packages and promotional materials.

04 June, 2004