Florida Lawmakers Seek Review Of Havana Club Trademark Case

A Florida Congressional delegation is seeking to reverse a 2016 decision granting Pernod Ricard and its Cuban partner, Cubaexport, a license to register the Havana Club rum trademark in the U.S. The bipartisan delegation, comprised of 25 House representatives, has asked the Trump administration to revoke the license, alleging that the trademark’s rightful ownership remains in question, and that further investigation is required.

Cubaexport and Pernod, which distributes Havana Club globally, have long clashed with rum giant Bacardi over the brand’s U.S. rights. Established in Cuba but forced to flee the country after the Castro revolution, Bacardi says it acquired the rights to Havana Club from brand founders the Arechabala family, and has sold a Puerto Rico-produced Havana Club line in the U.S. since the mid 1990s. In response, Pernod has asserted that Cubaexport has been the registered owner of the Havana Club trademark in the U.S. since 1976. —Christina Jelski

Tagged : Bacardi, Bacardi Ltd., Cubaexport, Havana Club, Pernod Ricard, rum, spirits

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