SABMiller, APB battle over beer trademark
Brand Tiger is back in the dock, this time in a court battle involving beer giants SABMiller and Asia Pacific Breweries (APB), an arm of Heineken.
By Boby Kurian, TNN |
BANGALORE: Brand Tiger is back in the dock, this time in a court battle involving beer giants SABMiller and Asia Pacific Breweries (APB), an arm of Heineken.
Informed sources said SABMiller is opposing APB’s move to bring in international beer Tiger to India on the premise that it already operates a local brand Bengal Tiger.
SABMiller acquired mild beer Bengal Tiger when it took over Mysore Breweries in June 2001, and now wants to protect the trademark in the wake of APB’s plans to bring in Tiger, which is a leading international beer present in 70 markets globally.
In fact, Tiger is the flagship of APB, which is the Singapore-based arm of Heineken, and arguably the most famous Asian beer brand.
Informed sources said SABMiller is opposing APB’s move to bring in international beer Tiger to India on the premise that it already operates a local brand Bengal Tiger.
SABMiller acquired mild beer Bengal Tiger when it took over Mysore Breweries in June 2001, and now wants to protect the trademark in the wake of APB’s plans to bring in Tiger, which is a leading international beer present in 70 markets globally.
In fact, Tiger is the flagship of APB, which is the Singapore-based arm of Heineken, and arguably the most famous Asian beer brand.
| A legal dispute on the matter exists in the Delhi HC. Discussions are on between APB & SABMiller at the global level to resolve the dispute. |
Incidentally, Indian biscuit major Britannia has been embroiled in a Tiger trademark controversy with its foreign partner Groupe Danone, which has hogged the limelight for well over a year. This involved overseas registration of Tiger biscuits, which is Britannia’s biggest success story.
When contacted, SABMiller confirmed that there exists a legal dispute on the matter in the Delhi High Court but declined to comment any further stating ‘it is sub-judice’.
Vivek Chhabra, who has been spearheading APB’s India business development, told ET from Singapore, “We have registered Tiger with the excise authorities as well as the trademark registry in India. We are not aware of any court restrictions.”
SABMiller went to the court after raising objections with excise authorities in Maharashtra and Andhra Pradesh, and is currently on appeal against an initial verdict that declined to stay a Maharashtra excise move that favoured APB.
Meanwhile, sources said discussions were currently underway between SABMiller and APB at the global level to resolve the dispute. It is not yet clear whether the stand-off will lead to a delay in APB launching Tiger beer in India eventhough industry observers believe that the brand could hit India by early next year.
APB forayed into India when it acquired controlling stake in Aurangabad Breweries over 18 months back, and has since then been preparing to launch international brands like Tiger and Anchor to be followed by Heineken.
When contacted, SABMiller confirmed that there exists a legal dispute on the matter in the Delhi High Court but declined to comment any further stating ‘it is sub-judice’.
Vivek Chhabra, who has been spearheading APB’s India business development, told ET from Singapore, “We have registered Tiger with the excise authorities as well as the trademark registry in India. We are not aware of any court restrictions.”
SABMiller went to the court after raising objections with excise authorities in Maharashtra and Andhra Pradesh, and is currently on appeal against an initial verdict that declined to stay a Maharashtra excise move that favoured APB.
Meanwhile, sources said discussions were currently underway between SABMiller and APB at the global level to resolve the dispute. It is not yet clear whether the stand-off will lead to a delay in APB launching Tiger beer in India eventhough industry observers believe that the brand could hit India by early next year.
APB forayed into India when it acquired controlling stake in Aurangabad Breweries over 18 months back, and has since then been preparing to launch international brands like Tiger and Anchor to be followed by Heineken.
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