Will Court Ruling Redefine Beverage Bottle Design Rights?

A significant verdict is anticipated today in the ongoing legal battle between Paulaner and Berentzen regarding the design of a cola mix bottle. The Munich regional court will determine if Berentzen's Mio Mio Cola+Orange infringes on Paulaner’s trademark, particularly its well-known Spezi bottle design.

With a dispute value of 250,000 euros, this case is crucial for Paulaner, which aims to safeguard its brand identity against similarities that could dilute its market presence. Paulaner contends that colors and design elements can become trademark identifiers when recognized by consumers as indicative of origin.

The outcome of this case may set a precedent for how design rights are interpreted in the beverage industry, influencing future branding strategies and legal protections for established companies.