No wonder Anheuser-Busch thinks it won the corn syrup legal battle.
Bud Light can still say it is “brewed with,” “made with,” or “uses” “no corn syrup.”
And it can still tell consumers Miller Lite and/or Coors Light is “brewed with,” “made with” or “uses” “corn syrup.”
In other words, Bud Light’s corn syrup commercials can continue with just two exceptions: Bud Light can no longer claim it has”100% less corn syrup” that Miller Lite or Coors Light. And it can’t say “corn syrup” is in the final product of Miller Lite or Coors Light.
Federal District Judge William M. Conley issued his ruling in a preliminary injunction case brought by MillerCoors.
The 49-page ruling is full of references to other cases splitting hairs on when advertising results in irreparable harm. But at the end, A-B wins the broad argument.
Other media have told you MillerCoors won a partial victory. Our reading is that the judge allowed MillerCoors to save face.
The bottom line: Bud Light’s Super Bowl ad titled “Special Delivery” can continue to air on TV and online. “Special Delivery” and all of Bud Light’s TV ads from Super Bowl LIII that focus on the ingredients used to brew Bud Light, Miller Lite and Coors Light may continue to air.
“Yesterday’s ruling is a victory for consumers as it allows Bud Light’s Super Bowl advertising to continue,” said Cesar Vargas, Anheuser-Busch VP of Legal & Corporate Affairs. “As the No. 1-selling beer in the U.S., Bud Light remains committed to leading the alcohol industry by providing more transparency for consumers including letting them know about the ingredients that are used to brew their beer. More transparency is good for the entire industry as it responds to a clear consumer demand.”
By allowing these ads to continue, A-B said, “consumers will now be more informed about the ingredients used to brew their favorite beers – an effort started by Bud Light earlier this year when it became the first-ever U.S. beer to include a comprehensive ingredients label on its packaging.”