Brewers who have been relying on inter-provincial trade restrictions to protect their brand may be left out in the cold. If we are moving towards free movement of beer across the country, registered trademarks will be critically important in brand battles.
See this article for more information on the ruling:
http://cnews.canoe.com/CNEWS/Canada/2016/04/29/22628348.html
See our post regarding the 1996 dispute between Labatt and Oland as an example of what difficulties could lie ahead for brewers without trademark protection.
http://www.wiselaw.ca/2015/08/registered-trademarks-your-trump-card/