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.