A court in Oslo ruled in favor of a small producer on Tuesday after Norway’s state-run alcohol retailer rejected his homemade-style potato spirit. The case centers on Hallvard Ystad, who sought to sell his product through Vinmonopolet, the country’s only legal seller of spirits. The company refused his application last year, citing concerns that the spirit’s name and labeling could be seen as offensive.
Ystad’s product, a clear potato spirit, was compared by Vinmonopolet to illegal home brew, a sensitive issue in Norway where homemade alcohol is prohibited. The retailer argued that the branding could mislead customers into thinking the product was produced without proper licensing. Ystad disputed this, stating his spirit met all legal requirements for commercial sale. The dispute escalated to court after mediation failed to resolve the disagreement.
Oslo District Court sided with Ystad on Tuesday, ordering Vinmonopolet to reverse its decision. The court found no legal basis for the rejection, noting that the product’s name and packaging did not violate regulations. The ruling is rare, as most disputes with Vinmonopolet are resolved internally or through appeal to the Norwegian Food Safety Authority.
Ystad, who has produced spirits for decades, said he was relieved by the decision. He plans to reapply to Vinmonopolet and expects the product to be available in stores within months. The case highlights the strict control Vinmonopolet holds over alcohol sales in Norway, a system designed to limit consumption but which also restricts market access for small producers.
Vinmonopolet has not indicated whether it will appeal the ruling. The company’s policies on branding and product names remain unchanged for now.
Source: e24.no