Anheuser-Busch InBev SA’s share price up, to acquire Pivovar Samson putting an end to the brand rights battle with Budwar

The biggest beer manufacturer in the world – Anheuser-Busch InBev SA made an official statement, revealing it acquired Pivovar Samson a.s. and is also considering to expand its Budweiser brand. The acquisition of Pivovar Samson puts an end to the competition between Anheuser-Busch InBev SA that were struggling over brand rights for more than one hundred years.

Anheuser-Busch InBev SA did not reveal any details of the acquisition, but said that through the purchase it acquires beer production in the city of Ceske Budejovice, which is considered the name source of the Budweis brand.

Ms. Karen Couck, a spokeswoman of the company said in the statement, cited by the Wall Street Journal: “The acquisition further strengthens AB InBevs legal position, particularly as it relates to the Budweiser brand. Were currently evaluating the expansion of the use of Samsons Budweiser brand.”

Anheuser-Busch InBev SA produces 400 million hectoliters of beer on a yearly basis and distributes the Budweiser brand in the U.S., South America and Asia. Budvar, which has been also claiming the so-called appellation of origin rights, provides the Budweiser brand in most European markets, including Russia, the U.K., Italy, Germany and Turkey.

Now, the sale of the Samson brewery is not to affect Budwar in any way due to the fact that Pivovar Samson does not own any trademarks under the name “Budweiser”, which means that the takeover will not have any impact on trademarks, which have been the apple of discord of the two companies. European Union-wide trademark right to use the “Bud” name was granted to Anheuser-Busch InBev SA in 2013 after an agency of the European Union registered the intellectual property right.

The spokesman of Budwar – Mr. Petr Samec, commented for the Wall Street Journal: “The ownership change [of Samson] has no relevance on [Budweiser] trademarks and ongoing court cases between Budejovicky Budvar and AB InBev.”

Anheuser-Busch InBev SA added 0.29% to trade at 84.07 euros per share today, marking a one-year increase of 25.67%.