This website uses cookies so that we can provide you with the best user experience possible. Cookie information is stored in your browser and performs functions such as recognising you when you return to our website and helping our team to understand which sections of the website you find most interesting and useful.
News
Riedel sues M&S over ‘Sommelier’ glassware
Austrian glassmaker Riedel has brought a lawsuit against UK retailer Marks & Spencer for what it calls infringement of its trademark.
Riedel’s owner, Tiroler Glashütte, has reportedly filed a lawsuit against M&S over the latter’s ‘Sommelier’ range of glasses which are a little too close to Riedel’s ‘Sommeliers’ range for its liking.
As reported in The Sunday Times, Riedel complained to M&S in October last year but the retailer wrote back to deny any liability.
In its lawsuit Riedel apparently alleges that M&S tried to claim ‘sommelier’ was a “generic term for glassware”.
“In reality,” said Riedel, “it describes an expert in wines.”
While this is true, it is possible that M&S was trying to argue that ‘sommelier’ is a generic term that might be applied to wine glasses rather than coming up with an alternative meaning for the term.
M&S’s ‘Sommelier range covers glasses for reds, whites (including ‘refreshing’ whites), Champagne, Port, a tall mixer and cocktails. A set of four glasses costs around £29.50.
Riedel’s ‘Sommeliers’ line meanwhile covers a much greater range with glasses suited for, as is Riedel’s calling card, styles of wine and regions ranging from Alsace to vintage Champagne, Hermitage, Burgundy, malt whisky and the Loire. A single stem can cost up to £125.
A hearing is reportedly scheduled for Wednesday this week. Both Riedel and M&S declined to comment on the on-going proceedings.
Buy Zalto.
Too expensive pal.
A difficult one for Riedel to win, this – they don’t own the word ‘sommelier’ and it would appear that Riedel’s accurate definition of the word is irrelevant. I present wine tastings in Spain, I could call them ‘The Sommelier Tastings’ and, I’m sure, couldn’t be challenged by Riedel if I don’t use their extremely expensive glasses!
The issue is not about using their glassware to do wine tasting by a sommelier, it’s about calling a product the same name as an already existing product, I imagine, if someone else started naming their tasting sessions ‘The Sommelier Tastings’ you would have grounds to sue, especially if this was negatively impacting your business financially, which I believe is the reason for suing
Seems to me that M&S knew full well they would be capitalizing on Riedel’s reputation for distinctive stemware and thought, ‘why not’?
M&S should find another way to sell their glasses…….
BUY EISCH GERMANY – MUCH BETTER THAN RIEDEL’S SERIES