IRN Bru bosses have won a legal battle with a firm who tried to launch a rival drink called Scots-Bru.
AG Barr, the makers of Scotland’s other national drink, called in the lawyers after the bid by English company Sun Mark.
Sun Mark, a distribution firm run by Tory donor Raminder Ranger, said they planned to launch a range of “fruit flavoured energy drinks” under the Scots-Bru name.
But AG Barr, based in Cumbernauld, Lanarkshire, accused Sun Mark of trying to “ride upon the coat tails” of its success and famous Scottish heritage.
They claimed the imitation product would be a threat to their business.
Trademark hearing officer George Salthouse ruled in favour of AG Barr after hearing evidence and representations from legal teams from both sides.
A spokesman for AG Barr said: “We’re pleased with the decision. We registered our first trade mark for IRN-BRU in 1946 and, since then, have always taken steps to protect the BRU brand where necessary.”
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