Anheuser-Busch and Budvar reach agreement, but trademark fights continueJanuary 9, 2007

United States brewer Anheuser-Busch, maker of Budweiser beer, has reached an agreement with Czech brewer Budejovicky Budvar, to distribute Budvar's Czechvar lager. This agreement is interesting because the two companies have been involved in trademark disputes around the world over which company has the right to use the name "Budweiser." Budvar's beer is sold as Budweiser Budvar in several countries, and the two companies have been sparring over ownership of the "Budweiser" trademark for over 100 years.

Budweiser Budvar

More details about the history of the trademark disputes between these two companies after the jump.

Anheuser-Busch began using the "Budweiser" name in 1876, nearly two decades before Budvar was founded in 1895. However, Budvar claims that its beer is named after the town in which it is brewed, called Budvar in German, and has been brewed there since 1265. In the most recent ruling in the dispute, a European court ruling in 2006 affirmed a 2001 ruling by the Supreme Court of Portugal that Anheuser-Busch's Budweiser can only be sold as "Bud" in Portugal. The trademark dispute has been ongoing throughout the world. For example, the companies have had disputes in, among other places, China, Japan, Korea, Lithuania, Spain, the European Union, Hungary, Finland, and Sweden. After all these disputes, this agreement could be a sign that the two companies are, at least for a moment, willing to coexist. Of course, each has stated they will continue the various trademark disputes around the world.

← Return to Filewrapper

Stay in Touch

Receive the latest news and updates from us and our attorneys.

Sign Up