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United Brands sues Anheuser-Busch over competing flavored malt beverage

SAN DIEGO — The maker of Joose flavored malt beverages has filed a lawsuit against one of the nation’s most popular brewing companies, citing infringement and unfair competition.

United Brands, which has marketed its Joose line since 2006, is seeking to protect the brand integrity of Dragon Joose, one of its popular flavors. The company said Anheuser-Busch’s competing product, Tilt, boasts a product design "[that] intentionally infringes on [our] Dragon Joose marks and is thereby benefiting from the brand equity of United Brands and its products."

The lawsuit was filed in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of California, and includes such claims as trademark infringement, copyright infringement, unfair competition and related claims, United Brands said.

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Tim Cost joins PepsiCo

PURCHASE, N.Y. — A former Wyeth executive has been named PepsiCo’s EVP global corporate affairs.

Tim Cost, who will report to PepsiCo chairman and CEO Indra Nooyi, officially will join the company Dec. 1. In the newly created position, Cost will be responsible for strengthening and protecting PepsiCo’s corporate reputation and strategically aligning its communications, public policy, foundation, investor relations, global health and agricultural policy, and regulatory agendas.

Cost joins PepsiCo from APCO Worldwide, a public affairs and strategic communications firm, where he was EVP. Prior to that, he served as SVP corporate affairs for pharmaceutical company Wyeth, prior to its acquisition by Pfizer last year.

"As the role of corporations in society continues to evolve, it is critical that we be very thoughtful, strategic and consistent in how we reach out to our many different stakeholders," said PepsiCo chairman and CEO Indra Nooyi. "Tim is a very talented leader whose depth and breadth of experience will help us take a holistic view of our external relations and forge strong, productive and mutually beneficial relationships, consistent with our global commitment to performance with purpose."