Anheuser-Busch Faces Trial on Patagonia Trademark, Fraud Claims

Anheuser-Busch LLC’s defenses against Patagonia’s claims that its Patagonia trademark for beer should be invalidated took a hit after a series of California federal district court rulings.

Critical disputes remain about whether Anheuser-Busch defrauded the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office as it acquired the trademark in 2012, the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California said Thursday.

The court also rejected the beermaker’s bid to escape some of Patagonia Inc.'s claims, as well as its defense that Patagonia had sat on its rights too long. The ruling puts remaining disputes on track for trial, potentially in early 2021. ...