GERMANY: Leading German Brewer banned from using geographic origin marketing

Breweries and vineyards that have established a strong brand for an alcoholic drink that is named after the town or locality in which it is made, can be banned from using this geographic marketing if it expands production to different locations, the European Court of Justice has ruled. The case involved established brewer Warsteiner Brauerei Haus Cramer GmbH & Co. KG, from Warstein, northwest Germany, where it has made the popular Warsteiner beer. It was taken to court by a German consumers organisation after it started producing Warsteiner beer at another town, Paderborn, 40km away.

December 20, 2000

The case involved established brewer Warsteiner Brauerei Haus Cramer GmbH &
Co. KG, from Warstein, northwest Germany, where it has made the popular Warsteiner
beer. It was taken to court by a German consumers organisation after it started
producing Warsteiner beer at another town, Paderborn, 40km away.

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