The truth will out in Bud saga

In your article, “A-B launches ‘thank-you’ offers” (MW May 29) you state, “Anheuser-Busch holds the unchallenged rights to the Budweiser name in most of the world, including North and South America, the UK and virtually all of Asia.” This is untrue.

At the end of 2002 a raft of articles covered the long-running trademark dispute between our two companies after 80 years of disputes were ended when the House of Lords threw out A-B’s assertion that only they should be allowed to use the trademark “Bud”. Before this, both Budweiser Budvar and A-B could use the trademark “Budweiser” in the UK, and that is the situation to this day.

As for North America, we could hardly be expected to win that particular territory. South America and Asia? Well we are somewhat unusual in that we believe great beer, just like great wine, should be made in the region, indeed in the town of origin. Our town (which has been brewing since 1265) is called Budweis, Southern Bohemia, hence the name. With regard to exportation, we concentrate on the major global beer markets of North America, UK and mainland Europe because consumption is high (which is important when you brew in only one place for product quality reasons).

John Harley

Chief executive

Budweiser Budvar UK

London WC1

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