A federal judge has ruled in favor of MillerCoors by ordered Anheuser-Busch to stop suggesting in advertising that M/C light beers contain corn syrup.
Last Friday, U.S. District Judge William Conley issued a preliminary injunction that prevents AB from using certain phrases in its controversial advertising campaign. The ruling is narrow, and specifically bars AB from referencing corn syrup without including any reference to “brewed with” or “made with.”
MillerCoors sued its AB in March claiming that the AB ads were “false and misleading.” MillerCoors argued that it uses corn syrup as a fermentation aid, but it turns to alcohol in the final product.
“We are pleased with today’s ruling that will force Anheuser-Busch to change or remove advertisements that were clearly designed to mislead the American public,” MillerCoors CEO Gavin Hattersley was quoted as saying in a USA Journal Sentinel article.
The narrow ruling could be considered a partial victory for M/C, with further decisions yet to be made by the court.