Anheuser-Busch said it built a better mousetrap – in this case, actually blow-molded bag-in-container devices to dispense beer from kegs — and Heineken has stolen the technology. Heineken denied the charges.
In a complaint filed in U.S. District Court, A-B explained that the traditional method of storing draft beer in stainless steel kegs uses gas to force the beer out. “However, this gas can, under certain circumstances, affect the quality of the beer,” the complaint states.
A-B’s solution involves a vent that allows pressurized gas to be introduced through the neck into the space between the inner bag and outer container, squeezing the inner bag and dispensing the beer without any gas contacting the beer itself.
Also, A-B said, its bag-in-container “is much lighter than traditional steel kegs and is therefore easier to handle in the retail trade. Unlike traditional steel kegs, all of the beer in the inner container is fully dispensed, eliminating wasted product and increasing its efficiency. Finally, there is no deposit on the bottle, making it more economical for retailers.”
The complaint cites a Heineken document explaining its strategy as one of “Copy and call it Innovation,” and says “Heineken has copied ABI’s innovation design for the bottle-in-bottle device and attempt to call it their ‘innovation.’ It is not. This technology is covered by ABI’s” patents.
A-B said Heineken has infringed four separate patents with its version of the technology.
Heineken in a statement denied A-B’s allegations and said it was confident of its case.