Denmark & Russia: Russian court grants unspecified ‘interim measures’ as Baltika sues Carlsberg

A court in St Petersburg has imposed unspecified "interim measures" against Carlsberg in favour of Baltika Breweries, court filings showed, after the Danish brewer stopped licensing its brands in Russia this month, Reuters reported on October 20.

Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered the temporary seizure of Carlsberg's stake in the Russian brewer Baltika in July, along with French yoghurt maker Danone's Russian subsidiary, demonstrating the risks for Western companies that have not managed to exit Russia since its invasion of Ukraine.

Carlsberg subsequently told Baltika that the licence agreements enabling it to produce, market and sell all Carlsberg Group products, including international and regional brands, had been terminated.

The court filings provided no information other than that interim measures had been granted in a lawsuit filed on Oct. 17 by Baltika against Carlsberg.

Baltika and Carlsberg did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

In another lawsuit filed on Sept. 25, before Carlsberg terminated the licence agreements, Baltika had asked a Russian court to prohibit Carlsberg from initiating legal proceedings in Denmark, citing the risk that Carlsberg could seek to remove Baltika's right to use certain trademarks.

The court did not grant interim measures, but a hearing in that case is scheduled for Nov. 15.