Anheuser-Busch Files Applications to Register FROSE-A-RITA, BERRY-KIWI-RITA, and Several Other "-RITA's" as Trademarks

The month of June was a busy time for Anheuser-Busch and RITA-themed trademark applications. The beverage giant filed six applications to register various -RITA marks this June (ed. - appropriate summer trademarks, no?) and appears to be expanding this line of products, if these trademark applications are any indication. The application filed this month are for:

• FROSE-A-RITA
• BERRY-KIWI-RITA
• CHERRY-LIME-RITA
• PASSION-FRUIT-RITA
• CRAN-BER-RITA (this one got filed in duplicate for some reason)

Anheuser-Busch filed each application in Class 32 for "flavored beer." The applications were filed on an intent-to-use basis, suggesting Anheuser-Busch is not currently using these trademarks with flavored beer but has a bona fide intention to do so in the near future. TMEP 806.01(b); 15 USC 1052(b). Before these applications can register, Anheuser-Busch must start using these trademarks in conjunction with the sale of flavored beer and submit sufficient proof of same to the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, like it did for an application it filed in 2016 for BUD LIGHT LIME COCO-NUT-RITA SPLASH (see image to the right for the evidence filed).

In December 2016, I blogged about Anheuser-Busch's application for GRAPE-A-RITA, which has since registered. Back in August and September 2016, the beverage company filed trademark applications for BUD LIGHT LIME COCO-NUT-RITA SPLASH, BUD LIGHT LIME PINE-APPLE-RITA SPLASH, BUD LIGHT LIME PEACH-A-RITA, and BUD LIGHT LIME ORANGE-A-RITA. All those applications, except BUD LIGHT LIME COCO-NUT-RITA, were abandoned because Anheuser-Busch did not submit proof it was using those trademarks by the deadline to do so. However, Anheuser-Busch refiled similar marks without "Bud Light Lime" in front and obtained registrations for those (like PEACH-A-RITA and ORANGE-A-RITA).

According to my quick search, Anheuser-Busch currently owns 463 active trademark applications or registrations with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. And yes, a registration for DILLY DILLY covering "beer" is one of them.

Would You Drink Anheuser-Busch's GRAPE-A-RITA?

Fans of Anheuser-Busch's margarita drinks may be getting a new flavor soon, according to a recent trademark application filed with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. The flavor? It appears to be grape.

On November 28th, Anheuser-Busch, LLC filed a federal trademark application for GRAPE-A-RITA in Class 32 for "flavored beers." The brewing company filed this application on an intent-to-use basis, suggesting it is not using this mark in conjunction with flavored beers yet but has a bona fide intention to do so in the near future.

The GRAPE-A-RITA application isn't the only recent application filed by Anheuser-Busch for its margarita line. On November 29th, the company obtained a registration for CHERRY-AHH-RITA for "flavored beers" (which means the company should be selling this flavor currently).

Additionally, back in August and September 2016, the brewing company filed trademark applications for BUD LIGHT LIME COCO-NUT-RITA SPLASH, BUD LIGHT LIME PINE-APPLE-RITA SPLASH, BUD LIGHT LIME PEACH-A-RITA, and BUD LIGHT LIME ORANGE-A-RITA. All those applications were filed on an intent-to-use basis as well.

Anheuser-Busch already owns registrations for BUD LIGHT LIME STRAW-BER-RITA SPLASH and BUD LIGHT LIME-A-RITA SPLASH. Finally, I blogged about BUD LIGHT APPLE back in September 2015. That mark has since registered, meaning you're likely to find it for sale somewhere in the United States.

According to my quick search, the GRAPE-A-RITA application brings the total number of live trademark applications or registrations owned by Anheuser-Busch in the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office to a whopping 573.