Tequila and Heineken settle

By Dumont

Mexico’s Tequila Regulatory Council (CRT) and Heineken announced they have reached an agreement on the correct use of the trademark Tequila.

The CRT, Mexico’s governing body overlooking tequila producers and the protection of the drink’s geographical indication, initiated a lawsuit in the European Union for unfair commercial practices and violation of the Industrial Property Law against Heineken. It agued that Heineken commercialized and promoted its Desperados beer with a supposed “aroma and flavor” of tequila which did not comply with Mexico’s regulations regarding the labeling for alcoholic beverages and a 2019 European Commission ruling that recognized Tequila as a geographical indication.

In a joint statement, the CRT and Heineken confirmed that they had settled the legal dispute, although its terms were not disclosed. “The agreement is beneficial to both parties, to the Desperados beer and to the geographical indication Tequila. The strong protection of the denomination Tequila, existing since 1997, has recently been further enhanced after it was recognized as an EU geographical indication under the relevant EU regulation. Any production of Tequila shall be in compliance with the Tequila standard,” the statement said.