The Czech brewer Budejovicky Budvar was stopped using the Budweiser name in Spain under the order issued by Spanish Provincial Court of Appeals, Anheuser-Busch reported. "Anheuser-Busch, brewer of Budweiser, has successfully enforced its rights to the Budweiser trademark in Spain, securing the company's exclusive right to use the Budweiser name in that country," an A-B statement claimed.

The Spain’s Provincial Court of Appeals apparently ruled that the Czech brewer, Budejovicky Budvar, must cease sales of beer in Spain under the Budweiser Budvar trademark. In addition, the court ruled that Anheuser-Busch is entitled to damages resulting from Budejovicky Budvar's infringement of Anheuser-Busch's trademark.

"This decision affirms our right to the Budweiser name, as many other courts have agreed, while supporting our view that Budvar has no right to the Budweiser name," said Stephen J. Burrows, president and chief executive officer, Anheuser-Busch International, Inc. "We're pleased with the court's decision because Anheuser-Busch is the brewer that built the Budweiser trademark around the world and began using the Budweiser trademark in 1876, 19 years before the Budvar brewery was established."

There was no statement from Budejovicky Budvar so far.

29 April, 2003