According to a statement by the Czech brewer, Budejovicky Budvar (BB), the EU has granted protection to geographically defined designations of beer brewed in the city of Ceske Budejovice, Budejovicky Pivo and Ceskobudejovicky Pivo, as part of the Czech Republic's accession agreement with the EU.

In response the statement, Anheuser-Busch, the US brewing group which has contested numerous legal battles with Budejovicky Budvar over the use of the Bud and Budweiser names, said: "We are pleased that the accession treaty between the Czech Republic and the EU contains specific and unprecedented language that protects our established rights to the Budweiser and Bud brand names in EU countries.

20 December, 2002