April 2025

The Czech Joint-Stock Brewery in České Budějovice was established in 1895 in the city of České Budějovice (historically known as Budweis) as the predecessor of the Budweiser Budvar National Corporation. Its founders were Czech residents of the city, who had been granted the historical right to brew beer by King Přemysl Otakar II in the 13th century. Therefore, the Czech Joint-Stock Brewery became the direct successor of the long-standing tradition of Budweiser beer brewing in the city of České Budějovice. The name “Budweiser” is derived from the city’s German name, “Budweis,” reflecting the town’s rich brewing heritage dating back to the 13th century.

The dispute over the use of the term “Budweiser” is part of a long-standing legal conflict that began when Anheuser-Busch, an American brewery, started brewing its own beer under the name Budweiser Lager Beer in the United States at the end of the 19th century. The name “Budweiser” was chosen to capitalize on the long history of the Czech brewery and the established global reputation of the original Czech Budweiser beer, as was confirmed in testimony by Adolphus Busch, the founder of Anheuser-Busch, in U.S. courts.

This led to a trademark dispute that has been going for many years, in numerous territories and has generated countless pages of legal and historical debate.

In Romania, Budweiser Budvar’s legal rights to the BUDWEISER trademark date back to the 1950s, further underlining the long-standing protection of its brand in international markets. This trademark dispute is a unique example of how the brewing world’s history and commercial success have intertwined, shaping both legal and cultural landscapes across different countries.

The story of Budweiser is one of tradition, competition, and a deep connection to regional identity, making it a fascinating chapter in the broader history of beer.

Unveiling the aspects concerning the context on the Romanian market, Andreea and George touching on:

• Background of the recent Romanian case
• Outcome of the proceedings
• Key Takeaways from the Ruling
• What’s Next?

The full version of the story is available HERE.

BACIU PARTNERS, with a team led by Andreea Bende and including Oana-Cătălina Matei Ionescu and George Irimescu, was proud to represent Budweiser Budvar in this conflict and to support the company in ensuring that its trademark rights are protected on the Romanian market.