Spain & Czech Republic: Budvar gets green light for using Budejovicky Budvar trademark in Spain

Czech state-owned brewery Budejovicky Budvar said May 30 it could sell its beer under the Budejovicky Budvar trademark in Spain, owing to last week's verdict from the Spanish Supreme Court, CTK informed May 30.

"Although Spain is a small market for us for the time being... we expect the final decision of the Supreme Court to give our business activities a boost," said Budvar spokesman Petr Samec.

The verdict does not concern the Budweiser trademark, over which Budvar and US giant Anheuser-Busch have been leading disputes all over the world, Budvar told CTK.

Anheuser-Busch has the right to use the Budweiser trademark in Spain. Its officials were not immediately available for comment.

Samec said the verdict had given Budvar a definitive legal certainty which reduces risks linked to investment in marketing and brand support.

Budvar exports more than 4,000 hectolitres of lager to Spain every year. Last year, it raised exports to the country by 4 percent year-on-year.

Budvar exports beer to 50 countries and has more than 380 trademarks registered in over 100 countries of the world.

Anheuser-Busch and Budvar have been fighting for the Budweiser trademark and other trademarks since 1906. They are embroiled in about 40 trademark disputes worldwide.