RIGHT ROYAL BEER BUST-UP

Adweek reports that Miller is bringing an action in the US against Anhauser-Busch. Miller, brewers of Miller Lite claims that wholesalers or employees of Anheuser-Busch, brewers of Budweiser, placed company ads onto or into Miller product packaging. The materials include 3-by-5-inch cards describing Miller Lite as the "Queen of Carbs" and "owned by South African Breweries." According to the suit filed in Wisconsin, these actions involved “false, unfair or illegal advertising tactics” since the beer is not high in carbohydrates and there is not such company as South African Breweries.



The IPKat doubts that such an action could fit within the UK definition of passing off, but feels that, if the claims are true, there would be a good argument for branding it unfair competition.



More regal beer here, here, here and here