Czech brewery Budejovicky Budvar claimed victory in Finland over beer giant Anheuser-Busch in the latest round of their ongoing global trademark dispute.
Finland’s brewing association, however, said the ruling had no practical significance because foreign beers make up less than 1% of total consumption.
While sales in Finland may be small, that high court upheld a previous court decision that Budvar can use the Budejovicky Budvar trademark in the country is important for the Czech brewery. Anheuser-Busch has “Bud” and “Budweiser” trademark protection in 21 of 25 European Union nations – and as the American and Czech breweries continue to fight trademark battles (about 40 are open right now) Budejovicky needs all the precedents it can point to.
Breweries like Busch and InterBev are the greatest threat to quality beer. Having tasted several Budvars in the UK this fall I can say that it is a very decent beer, topping czechvar, and deserving of the traditon the name represents unlike the ubiquitous swill that bud passes for traditional recipe.
Abother example of envy based America hating. The ubiquitous swill that is Budweiser also happens to be the largest selling beer on the planet.