A Scotch whisky business has emerged victorious in a legal dispute with Portuguese wine producers. The Port of Leith, the first vertical whisky distillery in the UK located in Edinburgh, opened its doors just last year. The owners of the distillery, Muckle Brig, sought to trademark the name ‘The Port of Leith Distillery’. However, their application faced opposition from the Douro and Port Wine Institute in Portugal, which protects the terms ‘Port’ and ‘Porto’ under EU trademark laws as designations of origin for their products.
The Portuguese institute argued that using the term ‘port’ in the distillery’s name could lead to customer confusion and unfair advantage due to the association with their renowned products. On the other hand, the distillery contended that ‘port’ referred specifically to the harbour area in Leith where they are situated. After deliberation, the European Intellectual Property Office ruled in favour of the Port of Leith Distillery, allowing them to register their name for spirits but not for port wines or sherries.
Founder of the distillery, Ian Stirling, expressed his satisfaction with the decision, highlighting its significance not only for their business but also for other UK beverage companies incorporating ‘port’ in their branding. The ruling sets a precedent for similar cases in the industry. The Port of Leith Distillery continues its operations, now with the legal backing of its name.
If you want to stay updated with the latest top news stories, you can have them sent straight to your inbox by subscribing to our daily newsletter. Stay informed with breaking news and headlines from Scotland and beyond.
(Source: Scottish Daily Record and Sunday Mail Ltd)