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[Alpha Biz=(Chicago) Reporter Paul Lee] The fight between Sevenbrau Beer and Daehan Flour Mills over the popular handmade beer "Gompyo Wheat Beer" is intensifying. Sevenbrau Brewery filed an injunction to ban the sale of "Gompyo Wheat Beer," which will be re-released by Daehan Flour Mill and Jeju Beer, and filed a complaint with the Fair Trade Commission for obstruction of business activities.
Sevenbrau Brewery said on the 16th that it has filed a complaint with the Fair Trade Commission against Daehan Flour Mills on the 15th on charges of "prohibiting abuse of trading status" and "prohibiting obstruction of business activities." Sevenbrau and Daehan Flour Mills have been selling Gompyo Wheat Beer, a hit beer, together, but Daehan Flour Mills will terminate its contract with Sevenbrau and offer beer through Jeju Beer when the contract period is over.
Sevenbrau claimed that Daehan Flour Mills, which did not have a liquor export license, effectively took over export business rights through Sevenbrau Beer. Sevenbrau Brewery said, "Daehan Flour Mills abused its long-standing on-site know-how and trading status to use it unfairly and interfered with legitimate overseas business."
Sevenbrau also claims that Daehan Flour Mills refused to renew the contract after Daehan Flour Mills requested the ingredient analysis and nutrition table of "Gompyo Wheat Beer" developed by Sevenbrau Brewery and delivered the requested data for fear of contract suspension.
Sevenbrau has filed an injunction with the Seoul Central District Court late last month to ban the sale of Gompyo Wheat Beer Season 2, which is scheduled to be released on the 19th. Sevenbrau said, "The existing Gompyo Wheat Beer inventory remains, and the taste of Gompyo Wheat Beer Season 2 is based on Sevenbrau's recipe, and if Daehan Flour Mill provides the recipe to Jeju beer and produces and releases it in the same package, it could cause consumer confusion."
Two products that are only different manufacturers and have similar flavors and packages are sold, causing confusion in the market. The first interrogation date for the injunction is set for the 28th of this month.
Alphabiz Reporter Paul Lee(hoondork1977@alphabiz.co.kr)
