In a statement, Bacardi has claimed that its challenge over the Spanish rights to the Havana Club brand name was rejected “on a technicality” and that the court upheld the “fundamental arguments of Bacardi”.
Ian FitzSimons, general counsel of Pernod Ricard said: "This decision is a victory for the Havana Club brand. This was a blatant attempt by our competitor, Bacardi, to claim rights in a trademark more than 30 years after an unused registration had expired.
“Our business in Spain was built from scratch and today sells more than 2.7 million litres in the country."
The latest trial was the third time a Spanish court has rejected Bacardi’s claim to the Spanish rights of the Havana Club rum brand.
Bacardi has since announced that it intends to pursue “new legal avenues” having been “encouraged” by the court’s ruling.
Bacardi points to technicality as Pernod prevails in Havana Club dispute
04 February, 2011
The Supreme Court of Spain has ruled in favour of Pernod Ricard and the Cuban government in the Havana Club trademark dispute with Bacardi.
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