The prohibition is due to a 1998 law banning renewals of certain trademarks, including the one Cubaexport has held since 1976. The ruling on Tuesday has no impact on Bacardi. Bacardi, which is also trying to register the Havana Trademark in the United States, said it was "thrilled" with the decision, and said the effect of the decision is that "the Cuban government's registration is expired and cancelled".
Pernod said it "strongly disagrees" with the decision, but is encouraged by the dissenting opinion of one judge, who called the decision "unsound doctrinally". Pernod said it vowed to work with Cuba export to seek a rehearing and to continue to defend the trademark in the United States. (Reuters)