Trade

THE Union has requested a World Trade Organisation dispute panel to investigate a US law which, it claims, restricts the rights of foreign right-holders of US trade marks. The dispute stems from a legal tussle between world famous drinks manufacturers, Bacardi and Pernod-Ricard, over the rights to a brand of Cuban rum - 'Havana Club'. The EU is challenging section 211 of the 1998 US Omnibus Appropriations Act, which states that trademarks used in connection with assets confiscated by the Cuban government cannot be registered without the permission of the original owner.