Vodkat Case (Diageo v Intercontinental Brands [2010] EWCH 17 Ch)

As one of the world's most popular spirits, the leading vodka brands continue to enjoy vast profits and the recent interest in flavoured vodka has led to wider markets and even greater sales for companies such as Grey Goose, Smirnoff and Absolut. In 2009, the UK market for vodka alone was estimated to be worth £1.2 billion. Naturally, as with any lucrative industry, the vodka market has seen an influx of competitors vying for a share of the global profits, and supermarkets, established alcoholic beverage producers and smaller independent companies have all produced their own rival vodkas. Unsurprisingly therefore, producers of popular vodkas have been determined to protect their pole market positions and the recent case of Diageo v Intercontinental Brands [2010] EWHC 17 (Ch) has seen the sale of a vodka product that was not compliant with alcoholic drinks regulations being prevented through the law of passing off.