In a significant development for Bacardi, the US Court of Appeals has revived the company’s long-standing trademark battle over the HAVANA CLUB brand. This decision marks a pivotal moment in Bacardi’s ongoing dispute with the Cuban government and the US Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
On June 13th, the US Court of Appeals ruled that Bacardi’s case against the USPTO can proceed, overturning a previous district court decision. The core of Bacardi’s argument is that the USPTO improperly allowed Cubaexport, a Cuban government entity, to renew the HAVANA CLUB trademark in 2016—a full decade after the statutory deadline had passed.
Background of the Dispute
The HAVANA CLUB trademark has a storied history. Originally owned by Cuban rum producer José Arechabala, the trademark was seized by the Cuban government in 1960 without compensation. By 1974, the trademark had expired, and Cubaexport subsequently registered it in the US.
Years later, Bacardi purchased the rights to the HAVANA CLUB name from the Arechabala family and sought to register the trademark in the US. However, Bacardi’s application was denied due to Cubaexport’s preexisting registration. This led to Bacardi filing a civil action in 2004, challenging the USPTO’s decision.
The Legal Battle
Bacardi’s recent legal victory stems from its argument that the USPTO Director acted beyond her authority by allowing the renewal of the HAVANA CLUB trademark in 2016, despite the significant delay. Bacardi claims that this renewal was invalid and that the trademark should have expired in 2006.
The district court initially dismissed Bacardi’s lawsuit, citing the Lanham Act, which governs US trademark law, as precluding judicial review under the Administrative Procedure Act (APA). However, the appeals court found no explicit provision in the Lanham Act preventing such review, allowing Bacardi’s case to move forward.
Statements from the Parties
In response to the ruling, Bacardi expressed satisfaction, stating that the decision allows the company to continue proving that the HAVANA CLUB trademark should have been removed from the registry in 2006.
David H. Bernstein, a partner at Debevoise & Plimpton representing Cubaexport, maintained confidence that the renewal of the trademark was valid, citing a specific license from the US Office of Foreign Assets Control that allowed the 2016 renewal. Bernstein emphasised that the recent decision does not address the merits of the renewal but rather the procedural aspects of the case.
Moving Forward
The case now returns to the district court for further proceedings, where Bacardi will continue its efforts to invalidate the HAVANA CLUB trademark renewal. This ongoing legal saga underscores the complexities of trademark law, especially when intertwined with international relations and historical grievances.
As Bacardi and Cubaexport prepare for the next round of legal battles, the outcome of this case will be closely watched by legal experts and industry stakeholders alike, given its implications for trademark renewal processes and international trademark disputes.
Stay tuned for further updates on this evolving legal drama.
