The makers of Jameson Irish Whiskey have claimed before the High Court that the labelling used on bottles of a rival Irish whiskey being distributed in Russia is an infringement of their trademark.
Irish Distillers, which produces Jameson, contend the labelling on bottles of St Patrick Irish Whiskey, which is made by Cooley Distillery in Co Louth and distributed in Russia by a company called Rotor House, is an infringement of their copyright and their registered trademarks.
Cooley Distillery denies the claims.
When the case was before the High Court yesterday, Irish Distillers initially sought an injunction, to apply pending the outcome of a later hearing, to restrain Cooley from using the labelling.
However, after discussions, the sides agreed to adjourn the case on the basis of an undertaking from Cooley to the court that, from midnight last night, it would not supply or distribute St Patrick whiskey to a third party until the matter comes back before the High Court at the end of the month.
Earlier, Jonathon Newman, for Irish Distillers, told Ms Justice Mary Laffoy that his side had learned that, in the last eight days, the defendants had or were in the process of shipping 6,900 bottles of St Patrick to Russia.
That amount was similar to the total amount shipped in the previous 4½ months, he said. He complained this "extraordinary course of business" was an attempt by the defendants "to flood the market" and nullify the effect of any future court decision on the matter.
Paul Coughlan, for Cooley Distillery, said his side strongly denied any copyright infringements and his clients were entitled to carry out their business and fulfil orders. Counsel also said there had been no attempt to "flood the market" with St Patrick whiskey.