Beer firms told to seek out of court deal

The High Court in Nairobi has directed Platinum Distillers and Diegeo North America Companies who are at the centre of counterfeit claim over their beer brands to settle the dispute out of court.

Platinum Distillers had earlier sought for time to file a reply to allegations that it had infringed on a competitors trademark.

Platinum clarified yesterday that it had approached Diegeo North over the issue.The consent was signed before Justice Francis Gikonyo who had earlier directed the parties to prepare their suit papers for a hearing.

Diegeo and its Kenya distributor UDV Ltd that manufacters Smirnoff Ice Double Black with Guarana, moved to court to block the sale and distribution of a rival beverage trading under the "Guarana label".