Riedel sues M&S over ‘Sommelier’ glassware

Austrian glassmaker Riedel has brought a lawsuit against UK retailer Marks & Spencer for what it calls infringement of its trademark.

Riedel’s owner, Tiroler Glashütte, has reportedly filed a lawsuit against M&S over the latter’s ‘Sommelier’ range of glasses which are a little too close to Riedel’s ‘Sommeliers’ range for its liking.

As reported in The Sunday Times, Riedel complained to M&S in October last year but the retailer wrote back to deny any liability.

In its lawsuit Riedel apparently alleges that M&S tried to claim ‘sommelier’ was a “generic term for glassware”.

“In reality,” said Riedel, “it describes an expert in wines.”

While this is true, it is possible that M&S was trying to argue that ‘sommelier’ is a generic term that might be applied to wine glasses rather than coming up with an alternative meaning for the term.

M&S’s ‘Sommelier range covers glasses for reds, whites (including ‘refreshing’ whites), Champagne, Port, a tall mixer and cocktails. A set of four glasses costs around £29.50.

Riedel’s ‘Sommeliers’ line meanwhile covers a much greater range with glasses suited for, as is Riedel’s calling card, styles of wine and regions ranging from Alsace to vintage Champagne, Hermitage, Burgundy, malt whisky and the Loire. A single stem can cost up to £125.

A hearing is reportedly scheduled for Wednesday this week. Both Riedel and M&S declined to comment on the on-going proceedings.