16th December, 2016 by Amy Hopkins

Amber Beverage Group, a subsidiary of Stolichnaya vodka producer SPI Group, is to assume full ownership of KAH Tequila as a legal dispute over the brand comes to an end.

The firm made its first foray into the Tequila category in September this year with the acquisition of a “significant equity stake” in Fabrica de Tequilas Finos, which produces KAH Tequila.

A number of parties – namely KAH Tequila founder Kim Brandi, Iconic Brands, Elements Spirits, Fabrica de Tequilas Finos and Worldwide Beverage Imports – have been engaged in a lawsuit over the ownership, sale and distribution of the brand since last year.

In April 2015, Elements Spirits filed a lawsuit against Brandi alleging her Sangre de Vida Tequila brand – launched under her new company Iconic Brands – was identical to KAH Tequila’s calavera bottle design and a trade infringement on the brand.

However, the dispute has now been settled “on mutually agreeable terms”, with Brandi transferring all of her copyrights, trademark and other intellectual property relating to KAH Tequila to an affiliate under Amber Beverage Group.

As such, Amber Beverage Group has assumed all ownership, intellectual property and distribution rights for KAH.

“We are committed to establishing KAH Tequila as a leading super premium class Tequila brand that stands out by unique packaging and conveys authentic spirit of the Mexican people through its iconic design,” said Seymour Ferreira, CEO of Amber Beverage Group.

Brandi added: “I am pleased that a solution had finally been achieved and I am looking forward to seeing the KAH Tequila brand flourish once again.”

SPI Group created Amber Beverage Group in 2014, bringing SC Latvijas Balzams, SPI Distribution Latvia, SPI Distribution Estonia, Bennet Distributors in Lithuania, beverage retailer Latvijas Balzams in Latvia and Bravo Alco in Lithuania under one umbrella company.

The firm employs 1,400 people across Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia who bottle, market, distribute, export and retail around 500 spirits and wines to 160 global markets.