Dive Brief:
- AB InBev's ongoing dispute over the Budweiser name with Budejovicky Budvar NP continued this week as an Italian court decided that AB InBev can no longer use the Budweiser trademark in the country.
- Italy's Supreme Court will also allow Budweiser Budvar lager to return to the market.
- AB InBev is considering its legal options, but it will switch to using the Bud name in Italy for the time being, a spokeswoman for the company told the AP.
Dive Insight:
Anheuser-Busch and Budejovicky Budvar have argued over the naming rights for their beers for more than a century now, and this battle in Italy is only the latest installment. AB InBev won a trademark fight over "Bud" in the European Union earlier this year. Budvar's lawyer thinks this latest legal decision may set a precedent for future cases elsewhere, however, meaning we could see a renewed push by the Czech brewer in other countries.