Netherlands: Heineken’s legal fight against InBev is settled out of court

Dutch brewer Heineken announced that a legal fight against Belgian-Brazilian rival InBev and electronics company Philips over copying a home beer draught system was settled out of court, AFX News Limited announced on January 10.

Heineken had accused InBev of violating intellectual property laws because it developed a home draught pumping system with Philips similar to its Beertender system developed with German electronics firm Krups.

Shares in Belgian brewing giant InBev SA rose slightly in early trade after the group said it had settled a patent dispute with Heineken over the 'Perfect Draft' home beer system, traders said.

At 9:35 a.m., the stock was up 0.19 euros or 0.39 percent at 48.65, whilst the Bel was up 20 22.36 points or 0.51 percent at 4428.95.

Wim Hoste at KBC Securities said he was expecting the news, after a Dutch judge had already dismissed the patent infringement claims once in late 2005. He said the decision would not impact his earnings model and kept his 'reduce' rating and 49 euro target price on the stock.

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