Overview
- Judge Richard Hacon, ruling Tuesday, rejected the defendants’ bid to strike out the case and said their conformity evidence seemed persuasive yet arrived late and must be tested at trial.
- The Italian Consorzio alleges misuse of the protected Prosecco name and a UK certification mark on Prosecco.com and Proseccodoc.com, saying the sites targeted UK buyers and promoted non‑genuine fizz.
- Michael and Ralph Goldstein, linked to Prosecco International and the Bella Principessa label, deny infringement and say their white and rosé wines meet Prosecco rules set for the PDO.
- The defence accepts older website versions showed non‑Prosecco drinks such as vodka and canned wine, says none were sold and the listings were removed, and disputes who owns the domains.
- The judge said past use of the PROSECCO sign may have caused significant harm and left open remedies at trial, a notable step as Prosecco’s PDO has been enforced since 2009 and is protected in UK law.