EU: A European Union Office for Harmonisation in the Internal Market (OHIM) has rejected Czech brewer Budejovicky Budvar's efforts to block Anheuser-Busch's registration for "Bud" in a variety of entertainment and marketing services, the US brewer said on July 19, according to American City Business Journals.

The office ruled in favor of A-B in three of four trademark classes, the company said. A-B said it plans to appeal the other portion of the ruling.

If upheld on appeal, the company would get registration for "Bud" for all marketing services in the European Union, it said. "The EU trademark office has resoundingly rejected Budejovicky Budvar's attempts to block our registration for our 'Bud' trademark," said Steve Burrows, president and chief executive, Anheuser-Busch International, in a statement. "This sets an important precedent as we fight to protect our 'Budweiser' and 'Bud' trademarks in Europe."

This legal dispute between the two companies began in 2001 when Budejovicky Budvar opposed Anheuser-Busch's registration for Bud, and has spread to more than 50 countries worldwide. A-B has won most of the battles, but almost all of these have focused on the beer name – opening up the tantalising possibility that Budvar could attempt similar blocking moves at the marketing level in other countries.

St. Louis-based Anheuser-Busch Cos. Inc., the world's largest brewer, manufactures and recycles aluminum cans and operates theme parks. It is the area's 19th largest employer.

21 July, 2004