Anheuser-Busch deepened the dispute with state-owned Czech brewery Budejovicky Budvar over the Bud brand. Yesterday it announced another strike at Budvar, with the acquisition of Budejovicky Mestansky Pivovar, a local rival of Budvar. The deal occured in December. Both breweries are based in the same town – Ceske Budejovice. The move is pivitol, as it gives Anheuser-Busch the company’s trademarks, Budweiser Beer brand – source of the lawsuits. Both Anheuser Busch, and Budvar have maintained that each brewer has historical rights to the Budweiser name.
The effect on Budvar remains to be seen. Doubtful they change any practices so easily.
