Czech Budvar takes on the US

Czech brewer Budejovicky Budvar​ is to compete with brewer Anheuser-Busch Cos.​ Inc. in the U.S., by launching its version of the Budweiser Budvar beer there under a new name to circumvent Anheuser-Busch's rights to the trademark, Czech daily paper Hospodarske Noviny reported on Thursday. The paper said the state-owned brewer, which is locked in dozens of trademark disputes worldwide with its bigger rival, has begun shipping small amounts to the United States under the name ``Czechvar.'' Budvar spokesman Martin Dolezal said the company was planning a news conference to present its new U.S. strategy at the end of March. He declined to give details. Under past agreements, Budvar must not sell its full-flavor, slightly sweet-tasting lagers under those trademarks in North America. Under various agreements and court rulings, Anheuser-Busch has only limited access to some European markets. Budvar, which made 1.35 million hectoliters last year, just over one percent of A-B's output, has remained in state hands throughout the country's privatization program of the past decade due to the trademark disputes. Source:Reuters