What is the controversy surrounding the trademark name, Budweiser?

A nearly century old battle for the exclusive rights to the name "Budweiser: gained a good deal of attention this summer as Germany played host to the 2006 World Cup.

Anheuser Busch had bought the rights to be the exclusive beer of the games, much to the dismay of the German people, who are proud of their home country's famous brews.

After a very publicized battle, and eventual compromise was made on that matter, but it did give rise to another controvery. This one dealing with the American brewer's long-fought battle with Budejovicky Budvar, which is a notable brewery in Czech Republic, and is known for brewing the original "Budweiser Budvar," or Budweiser beer.

The central issue of the controversy is whether 'Budweiser' is a trademark name of a brewing company or a geographic reference. Budweis (now Ceské Budejovice) is/was a town in what is now part of the Czech Republic. It is known for its lager beer.

In fact, for this reason, many brewers at one time made a Budweiser beer in the tradition of Budweis, the country -- not the trademark.

Just as a pilsner style beer is named after the town of Pilsen (Plzen), which is also found in the Czech Republic. Many claim that Budweiser is a beer brewed in the tradition of Budweis.

A little closer to State College in the town of DuBois, a now defunct DuBois Brewery produced DuBois Budweiser.

Anheuser Busch leveled a suit in 1908, yet no court action was taken until 1970 when a federal judge ordered a halt to the use of the Budweiser name. The brewery closed in 1972.

The controversy is more than a century old and there is no sign of an end. On its side, Budejovicky Budvar, is located in the town that was known as Budweis.

On the American brewer's side, they have been brewing Budweiser for about two decades longer.

Recent decisions have not surprisingly primarily favored Budejovicky Budvar in European courts and Anheuser Busch in American courts. Anheuser Busch has no plans to relinquish its strong hold on the rights to its flagship brand and the world's number one selling beer.

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Next Week: The final Homebrew column of 2006 will print next week.

In the spirit of the holidays there will be a special column interweaving the holiday season with our usual topic, beer.

Chris Straub is a senior majoring in chemical engineering and a Collegian columnist. He is also the great-great grandson of the founder of Straub beer. His e-mail address is cts150@psu.edu.