Pimm's and lemonade: a traditional summer cocktail

THE owner of the Pimm's brand, the staple drink for visitors to Wimbledon and the Henley Royal Regatta, has accused Sainsbury's of copyright infringement.

"We can confirm that we have issued legal proceedings against Sainsbury's in relation to an intellectual property matter," a spokesman for Diageo said.

Diageo, the world's biggest drinks company, issued the action following the supermarket's launch of Pitcher's, a gin-based drink to which lemonade and fruit can be added. Publicity material has described its drink as "synonymous with summer" and going on sale "in time for all the top summer events; Ascot, Henley and of course, Wimbledon", as well as being cheaper than the branded equivalent.

Sainsbury's, which is one of Diageo's biggest customers in the UK, said it intended to "vigorously" defend itself against the claims that the product infringed the intellectual property of the Pimm's brand.

"Our customers are savvy enough to know exactly what they're buying, the clue is in the name, and we see no basis for such an allegation"

A Sainsbury's statement said: "Our customers are savvy enough to know exactly what they're buying, the clue is in the name, and we see no basis for such an allegation."

Diageo's portfolio of brands includes Guinness, Baileys and Johnnie Walker.

It said the proceedings were an isolated matter and that it would not affect its relationship with the supermarket chain.

"It would be inappropriate for us to comment further other than to say that Sainsbury's is a valued customer of Diageo and we hope will continue to be so for many years.

"It is Diageo's firm intent that our strong trading relationship should not be affected by this discrete dispute."

Diageo invested £5.1 million in the Pimm's brand in the UK last year, including through a national television and press advertising campaign.