EU: The European Union's Office for Harmonization in the Internal Market (OHIM) has rejected efforts by Czech brewer Budejovicky Budvar to block Anheuser-Busch's registration of "Bud" for beer. This decision paves the way for Anheuser-Busch to receive a registration for "Bud" throughout the entire European Union. Budejovicky Budvar had based its opposition on several national trademark and appellation rights. All of these claims were rejected by OHIM.

"This is a substantial victory for Anheuser-Busch," said Steve Burrows, chief executive officer and president, Anheuser-Busch International, Inc. "By rejecting Budejovicky Budvar's claims, the court has cleared the way for our 'Bud' registration. This will go a long way in the fight to protect the world-famous trademarks of our flagship brand."

This legal dispute began in 2001 when Budejovicky Budvar opposed Anheuser-Busch's registration for "Bud."

Earlier this week, Anheuser-Busch garnered another major victory over Budejovicky Budvar when the World Trade Organization thwarted the Czech brewer's efforts to use "Budweiser" as an alleged translation of Budejovicky pivo.

Anheuser-Busch has national registrations for "Budweiser" or "Bud" in 20 of 25 European Union countries.

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