Bacardi loses Spanish claim on Havana Club

Despite the Spanish Supreme Court recently re-confirming that Havana Club belongs to Cubaexport, the Havana Club joint-venture created between Pernod Ricard and Corporación Cuba Ron, Bacardi intends to continue its battle over use of the Havana Club trademark there.

As a result of the recent Supreme Court decision, Bacardi has no right to claim ownership of the trademark in Spain. However the brand has stated that it will continue to pursue “all available legal options to protect its legitimate ownership and trademark rights to the Havana Club brand in Spain”.

After the case, it stated, “Bacardi will continue to defend its fundamental rights against expropriation having purchased the trademark rights in Spain from the original legal owners, creators and proprietors of the brand.”

At a previous hearing in early February Bacardi claimed that a technicality had been responsible for the ruling falling in favour of the Pernod Ricard joint-venture and pushed for clarification of this ruling.

The Spanish dual between Bacardi, the world’s top rum brand and its closest rival Havana Club, is one of ongoing international conflicts between the two brands down through the years.