CZECH: Budvar to launch in US under alternative name

By just-drinks.com editorial team | 26 March 2001

The Czech brewer Budvar is to launch its controversial beer on the US market under the brand name Czechvar.

Budvar and owners of Budweiser, Anheuser-Busch, are currently in over 40 legal battles over the Bud trademark, but A-B CEO Stephen Burrows said he had no objections to Budvar selling its beer in the US under a different name.

He said in a statement that the Czech brewer had no rights to the Budweiser or Bud trademarks in the US. He said A-B would protect the trademarks against any attempt by Budvar or anyone else who attempted to infringe upon them.

The scope of Budvar's activities in the US are unclear but it was reported last week that 7,500 cases of beer were sent to the US market by Budvar.

Companies: A-B