Jameson claims rival copied label
THE makers of Jameson Irish Whiskey have claimed in the High Court that labels on a rival whiskey being distributed in Russia are so similar it is leading customers to believe it is from "the same family of products".
Irish Distillers, who produce Jameson, contend the labelling on bottles of St Patrick Irish Whiskey, which is made by Cooley Distillery in Co Louth and distributed in Russia by a company called Rotor House, is an infringement of their copyright and their registered trademarks. Cooley Distillery has denied the claims.
At the High Court yesterday, Irish Distillers applied for an injunction preventing Cooley from using the label on the St Patrick brand, which is only available in Russia, pending the outcome of a later hearing of the matter.
Opening the case, Michael Collins SC, for Irish Distillers, said his client was objecting to the label on the bottles, which it claims are similar in design and layout to that of Jameson.
He said Rotor House had distributed Jameson in Russia. However, that arrangement had come to an end last November.
And he l said there were concerns that the confusion would damage Jameson's reputation for quality.
In reply, David Hynes, managing director of Cooley Distillers, denied the label of St Patrick infringed any copyright or that it was confusing customers in Russia.
Mr Hynes described Irish Distillers' action as an attempt to "undermine a competitor", with what was a "contrived grievance".
Mr Hynes added that any injunction which would result in Rotor House having to change the label would harm the sales of St Patrick in Russia.
The case continues.
- Tim Healy
