Scotch body may take local Scot to WTO
The influential Scotch Whisky Association (SWA), the governing body of Scotland's most famous industry, finds Supreme Court order allowing the use of name 'Scot' on India-made whisky inexplicable.
By Boby Kurian, TNN |
BANGALORE: The influential Scotch Whisky Association (SWA), the governing body of Scotland���s most famous industry, finds India���s Supreme Court order allowing the use of name ���Scot��� on locally-made whisky ���inexplicable���, as it went into discussing the fallout of the verdict on its crusade to protect the worldwide interests. After the initial stock taking, SWA said it was exploring all options, including a challenge before an international tribunal under WTO.
Even as SWA discussed future legal options on Thursday, the domestic liquor czar and chairman of United Spirits came down heavily on the Edinburgh-based trade association for its fierce claim on ���anything even remotely Scottish��� that almost suggested xenophobia. Earlier in the week, SC allowed Bangalore-headquartered Khoday to use ���Scot��� on its long-established brand Peter Scot, rejecting SWA contention that it would mislead consumers into thinking the product was Scotch whisky, which it is not. Now, SWA ���is looking at all options and will consider any possible WTO challenge with its attorneys���, a senior association official told ET.
The court verdict may deal a blow to SWA���s fight against the practice of employing Scottish names on local whiskies that may be ���deceiving��� consumers. The association representing the biggest scotch whisky corporations have launched a global campaign against regional players employing Scottish names, and was successful in forcing two Indian whiskies ��� Bonnie Scot and Red Scot ��� to change names recently. Significantly, the development threatens to revisit the hostilities between Mr Mallya and SWA, as he came out with the strongest statements against the latter since acquiring Scotch giant Whyte & Mackay for $1.18 billion exactly a year ago.
Even as SWA discussed future legal options on Thursday, the domestic liquor czar and chairman of United Spirits came down heavily on the Edinburgh-based trade association for its fierce claim on ���anything even remotely Scottish��� that almost suggested xenophobia. Earlier in the week, SC allowed Bangalore-headquartered Khoday to use ���Scot��� on its long-established brand Peter Scot, rejecting SWA contention that it would mislead consumers into thinking the product was Scotch whisky, which it is not. Now, SWA ���is looking at all options and will consider any possible WTO challenge with its attorneys���, a senior association official told ET.
The court verdict may deal a blow to SWA���s fight against the practice of employing Scottish names on local whiskies that may be ���deceiving��� consumers. The association representing the biggest scotch whisky corporations have launched a global campaign against regional players employing Scottish names, and was successful in forcing two Indian whiskies ��� Bonnie Scot and Red Scot ��� to change names recently. Significantly, the development threatens to revisit the hostilities between Mr Mallya and SWA, as he came out with the strongest statements against the latter since acquiring Scotch giant Whyte & Mackay for $1.18 billion exactly a year ago.
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