US brewery, Anheuser-Bush (A-B), has won its legal battle with the Czech beer company, Budejovicky Budvar, regarding the Budweiser brand name. A-B declared that the New Zealand Court of Appeal had reversed an earlier High Court decision and interdicted Budejovicky Budvar to import, advertise or sell beer under the Budweiser brand.

According to the Court of Appeal decision, Budejovicky Budvar and its New Zealand distributor would have to destroy any products, labels, advertisements and other promotional material under Budweiser brand. However, the court does not affect the Czech company’s rights to use the name of Budejovicky Budvar.

23 September, 2002