Anheuser-Busch can advertise and use packaging implying that Molson Coors’ beers contain corn syrup. “If Molson Coors does not like the sneering tone of Anheuser-Busch’s ads, it can mock Bud Light in return,” the 7th U.S. Court of Appeals said. “Litigation should not be a substitute for competition in the market,” it added.
The case began more than a year ago when A-B ran three Super Bowl adds calling out Coors Light and Miller Lite for using corn syrup as an ingredient. Molson Coors acknowledges that but says (1) none ends in the final product, and (2) the purpose was to lead consumers to believe the beers contain high fructose corn syrup, which has been said to contribute to obesity.