By AP
Brussels – A European Union court has rejected Anheuser-Busch-InBev's claim to register "Budweiser" as a trademark in Europe.
Even before it's takeover by Belgium's InBev, Anheuser-Busch had been in a protracted dispute with Czech brewer Budejovicky Budvar over the name, which is derived from the Czech town of Budweis.
The court upheld an earlier decision, saying InBev does not have the exclusive right to use the "Budweiser" name in Europe.
The Czech company had already claimed the name in several EU countries. InBev said the ruling has does not affect its existing European trademark rights.
But it does mean InBev may not block Budejovicky Budvar from using the name Budweiser in places it already does.
Budvar's beer is marketed as "Czechvar" in North America.