Cheers to you the Society of Beer Advocates (Ironically, SOBA)! They’re fighting the good fight for all of us. They’re a volunteer-run organization in New Zealand that is currently in month 18 of their lawsuit against DB Breweries (the bad guys), also of New Zealand.
So here is the situation. DB Breweries makes a lot of beer. Good, right? Yes. The problem comes with what DB Breweries does outside of their beer. They make a product called Radler (German for bike) which is basically a shandy beer. That would be, for all intensive purposes, beer with 40 or 50% carbonated lemonade or citrus soda. It is German in origin and dates back to sometime around the early 20th century.
I’m personally not a huge fan of Shandy beers. They’re nice on a hot day. They’re low in alcohol because of the non-alcoholic mix-ins. They’re pretty damn refreshing though. Still, none of that is the point. The problem is that many breweries make Radler, but DB Breweries has trademarked the word. When the good folks of SOBA found out they filed suit to have the trademark declared invalid.
It is ridiculous to think that a company could trademark a beer style. If DB Breweries is allowed to trademark a beer style, then what is to stop them from trademarking “ale” or “lager?” Sure, it sounds outlandish, but I thought it was supposed to be IMPOSSIBLE to trademark a beer style.
The scary part is that I read in this article that SOBA could be forced into bankruptcy by the situation. Apparently DB Brewing has sent a letter to SOBA saying that they would probably sue them for the court costs associated with the trial. That would most likely put them under.
They’re still fighting though. And I say fight on you intrepid warriors! You’re doing the whole beer-drinking world a huge favor.
You're welcome Brian. We're only a young organisation but we stand for 'Beer for all the right reasons' and as such, do not like to see common sense eroded by marketing might. We bear DB no ill will; they should not have been granted the trademark in the first place, but it is theirs to relinquish, which as you've seen is something they are digging their heels in on. Thanks for writing the article,
ReplyDeleteMartin Bulmer (SOBA)