Brewery takes on Magners in High Court

The Hogs Back Brewery in Surrey has launched legal action against Magners over claims the cider giant has infringed on its trademark for its Hazy Hog cider.

Rupert Thompson, owner of the Hogs Back Brewery

Magners, owned by C&C group, was contacted by the Hogs Back Brewery after it launched a portable cider dispenser called Cider Hog, due to the “similar name and graphics” used.

Hazy Hog, a “distinctive” cloudy cider, was released in March 2013, with Magners’ Cider Hog following 15 months later.

Rupert Thompson, owner of the Hogs Back Brewery, said he had “sought to resolve this in an amicable manner”, contacting Magners to suggest some changes to its product.

However Magners denied any wrongdoing noting that Cider Hog had been registered as a trademark under refrigerated packaging.

Thompson said: “Over the past six months, we have tried to find a solution which would satisfy both parties, but without success. Regrettably, we have turned to court proceedings, but still hope that discussions may generate an acceptable resolution.”

C&C maintains its belief that there is no possibility that the two products could be confused stating that one is a drink and the other a dispenser in a statement.

“We are aware of the claim recently issued against us by Hogs Back Brewery over their ‘Hazy Hog’ trademark”, it said. “We have been in discussions with Hogs Back for some time over this issue. While we do not believe there there is any possibility of confusion between their Hazy Hog cider and our cider dispenser, we remain hopeful of finding a resolution of this matter which is acceptable to both companies.”

C&C’s Cider Hog