BUDWEISER DISPUTE GOES TO EUROPEAN COURT OF HUMAN RIGHTS

Bloomberg News reports that Anheuser-Busch has successfully petitioned the European Court of Human Rights to hear its appeal against a 2001 decision of the Portuguese Supreme Court which favours the rights of its Czech rival to the BUDWEISER name.

``This complaint poses serious factual and legal questions'' said the Human Rights Court. ``A thorough investigation" was said to be needed.

This is the first trade mark case to reach the Strasbourg court.

The IPKat has been wondering for a long time how the Protocol 1, Article 1 right to peaceful enjoyment of property protects IP rights. Looks like he may well get the answer.

Human rights and beer here and here