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A Great British Trademark Dispute

19.10.2011

A Great British Trademark Dispute

In a world gone mad with political correctness, equal opportunity and media regulation, we thought we’d take it upon ourselves to add fuel to this fire or, more specifically, the fire of false trademarking.

Our gripe is a simple one and it all started with this - http://www.ipo.gov.uk/ohim?ohimnum=E9793886 – CAMRA’s trademark application for the term ‘Great British Beer Festival’.

To be more precise, we believe that CAMRA’s trademark is a blatant misrepresentation of the facts since the term ‘beer’ in no way suggests that CAMRA actually impose rigorous regulation on the kind of brews that are available at the festival and those that are not; ‘Great British Real Ale Festival’ is a more accurate, honest and transparent approach based on the beers that actually put in an appearance.

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There’s no denying that BrewDog have something of a reputation for engaging in spats over CAMRA’s downright archaic and increasingly desperate measures to protect the seemingly 'diabolical' use of keg and carbonation; two elements that craft beer drinkers – and probably beer drinkers in general – wouldn't bat an eyelid at, let alone argue that they are of detriment.

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For us, CAMRA’s trademark application is yet another attempt to pull the wool over the eyes of consumers, cashing in on expectations whilst constraining choice in favour of preserving their own perverse rules. Are these really the actions of a group that is considered to be the UK's champion of 'beer', let alone be allowed to pedal the term in their own trademarks?

CAMRA’s use of the term ‘beer’ rather than ‘real ale’ is just another incident in a catalogue of blunders in which the organisation have failed to acknowledge the growing wave of incredible and innovative UK craft breweries that are redefining beer, not just at home, but around the globe.

By plastering the word ‘beer’ all over their festival, CAMRA have sent out a strong signal that there is simply no place for the many variations and options available to today’s drinkers; the kind of choice which has never been seen before and is the reason why so many people are discovering and rediscovering the joy of beer regardless of back story, brewing process or branding.

Is this the kind of UK beer scene you want to be part of? Let us know.

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Comments

  • Lets see, it's a FESTIVAL that sells BEER and its held in GREAT BRITAIN. Hardly takes a genius to work out why they called it what they did. I'd suggest stopping the desperate headline grabbing and instead brew the original Chaos Theory again. You're beginning to sound like a broken record...

    fatboab     24.10.2011

  • Long live the revolution. How about sending down some beer to Occupy Wall Street. Now that would get the media hoping. Punk at Saint Pauls...

    Punk at Saint Pauls     24.10.2011

  • well done, you've made a valid point. Pity no one cares though. I think those attending GBBF know what they're getting themselves in for. I doubt anyones walking through the door and saying 'where the kegs at'. Likewise when people go to brewdog they know there is no cask ale.

    Personally, I don't care. I don't really like cask ale which is why I don't go to GBBF. They can call it what they like, I don't think anyone is getting hoodwinked. I'd like to hear from the people who turned up at GBBF and were shocked at the lack of kegs.

    BenH     24.10.2011

  • "The fact they are trying to make their festival sound like something it isn't, says a lot about the image of real ale in the UK."

    The GBBF has been around for 34 years. It's not misleading in the respect you claim when it pre-dated the Brewdog related "craft beer revolution" in the UK by decades.

    SteveF     24.10.2011

  • YAWN

    Does it Matter??     24.10.2011

  • "In a world gone mad with political correctness, equal opportunity and media regulation"

    Have I just stumbled on the Daily Mail website by mistake?

    SteveF     24.10.2011

  • Screw CAMRA. Its just not worth the time wasted bitching about them, like Pete Gerrard here said, making things like Paradox is infinitely more important. If CAMRA have monopolized beer festivals in the uk, then lets start our own organization "the super awesome beer club" (or something), where any craft brewer is welcome! who's with me?!

    Kieran the Stoat     24.10.2011

  • What's next on your agenda? Sponsors of Monkey Tennis?

    Objecting to an event name that started before you were even born... find a better target, lads.

    JumpTheBeerShark     24.10.2011

  • Honestly who cares? Someone obviously has too much time on their hands. Brew some beer and get the shareholder cards out.

    Percy Pig     24.10.2011

  • Do they want to register that term as a landgrab or is it more that that is what the event has been called since 1977?

    Question     24.10.2011

  • Rather than wasting time dreaming up more nonsense you might be better sorting out your own customer focus.

    I bought into Equity for Punks but, despite phone calls and e-mails, I haven't received my welcome pack including, now what did you promise?, ID cards, special offers etc.

    You offered a special website for shareholders which, as far as I can tell, shut before I could log-on. Log-on details which you sent were incorrect but no one at BrewDog wants to sort this out; phone calls and e-mails ignored etc.

    Really guys if you're serious about building for the future look after your customers. Then, if you have the time, pick fights for the sake of being outre.

    JB     24.10.2011

  • I agree that GBBF is misleading & think it'd be great if there was a big beer fest with ale & craft beer.
    But honestly this blog is starting to sound like a stuck record. Yeah we get it, you don't like what CAMRA represent, get over it & cut the hyperbole.
    Like others have said, stick to brewing great beer. Or if you're really still sulking aboout GBBF then start your own craft beer fest.

    stringy     24.10.2011

  • I think CAMRA realise Real Ale is loosing it's appeal and that much less people would want to go to a 'Great British Real Ale Festival'.

    so they are clever (and deceitful) in what they have done here.

    The fact they are trying to make their festival sound like something it isn't, says a lot about the image of real ale in the UK.

    Peter M     24.10.2011

  • I agree that GBBF is misleading & think it'd be great if there was a big beer fest with ale & craft beer.
    But honestly this blog is starting to sound like a stuck record. Yeah we get it, you don't like what CAMRA represent, get over it & cut the hyperbole.
    Like others have said, stick to brewing great beer. Or if you're really still sulking aboout GBBF then start your own craft beer fest.

    stringy     24.10.2011

  • I agree.

    how can a beer festival not serve beer?

    Bex     24.10.2011

  • It is not about column inches.

    Read the article and the point we are making before having a knee jerk reaction.

    It is a very valid point.

    BrewDog James     24.10.2011

  • I think there's a serious point here. CAMRA campaigns for thier definition of "real Ale" while beer is a generic term which includes many bevereges which they exclude. If you extrapolate this trademark thing whats to prevent a move to define "beer" as CAMRA sees fit. Continental chocolate manufacturers had a go at this which woulod have ened in Cadbury's not being "chocolate". Whisky is defined such that similar products have to be named whiskEy so as not to infringe the whisky branding. My mate things McEwans Export is the Great British beer. I doubt you'll get that at the festival..... Should be The Great British Real Ale Festival!

    DaveU     24.10.2011

  • Great Point guys. Pete Brown has also wrote about his issues with CAMRA using this name.

    Long live the craft beer revolution.

    Adrian     24.10.2011

  • all this nonsense (which is really just a way of getting some cheap column inches, let's be honest) is reason my partner and i decided not to invest in equity for punks although we've been a fan of the beers for years. i can't justify sponsoring this kind of ad-terrorism.

    dave_car     24.10.2011

  • I laughed long and hard at that "What x thinks of x" picture, work is going to be a laugh tonight

    James     24.10.2011

  • To be frank, lately this blog screams of "look at us, we're awesome" PR stunts and is not adding much to the craft beer scene. Who cares about CAMRA and GBBF?

    I have respect for what you guys have achieved and you've certainly made some great beers, but please consider focusing on what is important: Making more great beers!

    GrowlerViking     24.10.2011

  • Hey- props for using my piccy! Off to enjoy some Wasabi Stout & AB07 tonight in BrewDog Glasgow. Can't wait...

    GJDunbar     24.10.2011

  • This is pure bullshit. CAMRA don't stand for the same things you do- get over it. As for getting your knickers in a twist about the intellectual property rights to the name, I'd understand if they'd ONLY just decided to call it the Great British Beer Festival, but it's always been called that and everyone (apart from you, it seems) understands that the emphasis is on real ale (with the excpetion of certain elements of the BSF bar) The depths of your childish petulance and pettiness knows no depths, it seems. (and I used to be the biggest Brewdog fan of all.)

    Paxton1978     24.10.2011

  • Just ask them if due to the fact it is a "beer festival", can you bring beers that they don't class as "real ale".

    Nixon     24.10.2011

  • They also sell a lot more than just "British" at the festival too. But I notice you didn't pick them up on this.

    Sunk Punk didn't quite get you enough column inches?

    glasgow_red     24.10.2011

  • Just another cheap BrewDog publicity stunt that screams of desperation. Stick to what you are good at which is brewing good cask beer. Yes, cask beer, your best beers are still the ones that are cask conditioned.

    SmartYin     24.10.2011

  • So, why is Brewdog waging a war with a group it should be united with?

    Yorkshire     24.10.2011

  • Get Paradox back on sale, that's much more important than this.

    Pete Gerrard     24.10.2011

  • I suppose it depends on whether you're making a point or you genuinely believe they are misrepresenting. If it's just to make a point then *high five*. If you really believe that they are doing it "pull wool over drinkers eyes" then I'm not sure.

    I'm with David, lets sit back and enjoy.

    Fezzles     24.10.2011

  • Let me get some snacks while I watch the silliness ensue.

    David Gilks     24.10.2011

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