LIVE
VIDEO
Bacardi Takes Round 1 in Rum Wars
Judge tosses out claim Bacardi is misleading the public
Getty Images
NEW YORK - JUNE 17: Bottles of Bacardi and Grey Goose spirits are seen in a liquor store June 17, 2004 in New York City. Bacardi is reportedly close to a deal to buy the Grey Goose vodka business for more than $2 billion. (Photo by Mario Tama/Getty Images)
Somebody break out the cola because Bacardi has something to drink about.
Bacardi USA Inc. has won a key round in its legal battle with Pernod Ricard over sales of the Havana Club rum brand in the United States.
A federal judge in Delaware rejected Pernod's claims that Bacardi's use of the Havana Club label is misleading because the rum is not made in Cuba. The judge ruled late Tuesday that Bacardi's product says it is made in Puerto Rico and is derived from a 1920s-era Cuban recipe.
Pernod has jousted with Bacardi for years over the Havana Club label because Pernod sells rum under that brand outside the U.S.
Pernod executives say they will appeal the ruling.
Miami-based Bacardi says the ruling shows the Havana Club brand accurately portrays the rum's origins and geographic locale.
Miss USA 2013: Meet the Winner