Modelo Accuses Constellation of Misusing ‘Corona’ on Seltzer (1)

Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV’s Cervecería Modelo—the maker of Corona beer—sued Corona’s American distributor Constellation Brands in Manhattan federal court for allegedly misusing the Corona name for a brand of hard seltzer.

Modelo and CB Brand Strategies LLC’s licensing agreement only allows Constellation to use Corona trademarks on beer, according to the complaint filed Monday in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York.

The complaint says Constellation spent more than $40 million dollars to advertise the introduction of its Corona Hard Seltzer. According to Modelo, Constellation said the Corona seltzer was one of the most successful product launches ...