Heineken concedes to small beer producer in Romania after Hungary steps in

Heineken Romania, the local subsidiary of Dutch brewing company Heineken International, and small beer producer Lixid Project from Sansimion, in Harghita county, announced that they have agreed to settle their dispute on the use of Csiki Sor beer brand. In January this year, a Romanian court ruled that Lixid Project was no longer allowed to use the Csiki beer name because of similarity with Heineken’s brand Ciuc. The Hungarian authorities said at that time that this was “an abuse of power at the expense of a Hungarian company,” and replied with a draft bill that was prohibiting the Ducth giant to use its logo with the red star, labeling it as a “totalitarian symbol,” reports local Hotnews.ro. However, Heineken and Lixid Project finally reached an agreement according to which “both parties will abandon all legal activities related to the commercial dispute,” the small beer producer announced on its Facebook page. Thus, the Ciuc and Csiki brands will coexist, and Lixid Project will continue selling the Csiki Sor beer. “The settlement involves compromises on both sides and it allows both companies to continue building their relationship with their consumers, employees, business partners and the local community. Both companies now look forward to leave their past differences behind them and focus on what they do best and enjoy most: brew beer,” reads the Facebook announcement. Heineken Romania reached a turnover of EUR 266 million in 2015, up 11% over the previous year. The results increased due to the good weather and the consumption boost. Lixid Project had EUR 3.2 million sales in 2015, according to data from the Finance Ministry. Irina Popescu, irina.popescu@romania-insider.com (Photo source: Cikisor.hu)