Whisky name bid is scotched

A CANADIAN whisky firm has been refused a trademark for a new product because the Scotch Whisky Association objected to the use of the word "Glen" in the title.

The Canadian Federal Court turned down the request to register the single malt Glen Breton.

It said the word was widely used on Scottish-produced whisky, meaning the use of the word on a Canadian-produced whisky was confusing and misleading to consumers. Evidence filed by the SWA included more than 30 instances of "Glen Breton" being mis-described in Canada as "Scotch Whisky", with examples of confusion found in shops, adverts, price lists, menus and websites.

The court found "the consumer who thought he or she was ordering a new Scottish single malt would never know something else was served".