E-Malt.com News article: Hungary: Budvar may use identification of origin for beer in Hungary

Czech brewery Budejovicky Budvar can sell beers Budejovicke pivo and Ceskobudejovicke pivo on the Hungarian market using the identification of origin, representatives of Budvar said, referring to a verdict of the Hungarian Supreme Court, CTK reported May 16.

The court rejected once and for all an appeal of Budvar's rival, the US brewing group Anheuser-Busch, which had been seeking lifting the protection for the identification of origin in Hungary since 2001.

The court also confirmed protection for Budejovicke pivo and Ceskobudejovicke pivo in German, English and French languages (apart from the Czech original).

"We have scored a big success in defending our rights," said Budejovicky Budvar lawyer Helena Lejtnarova.

"The verdict has also reinforced the position of our beer which we sell under the name of Budweiser Budvar," she added.

Hungary is one of the top ten export markets for Budvar. It widely sells the light lager beer Budweiser Budvar on the market.

The dispute had nothing to do with the right to the brand name Budweiser. Budvar is the exclusive owner of the brand in Hungary.

Anheuser-Busch and Budvar have been in dispute over their beer brands since 1906.


23 May, 2007