Johannesburg - Rizo Investments, the company whose energy drink Mad Bull was banned this week by the supreme court of appeal in Bloemfontein, said it would contest the removal of its product from shop shelves.
"The order only barred us from using the Bull trademark," said Brian Altriche, Rizo's chief executive.
Altriche was responding to a letter he had received from Red Bull demanding the immediate withdrawal of all Mad Bull stock from the retail market - for purposes of either destruction or relabelling.
The Austrian company, which makes Red Bull, regained its wings this week after the court ruled that rival energy drink Mad Bull was infringing on its Bull trademark.
Altriche said while he was disappointed by the court's refusal to support a local creator of 120 jobs, an alternative name was already on the cards.
"It is time to kill the bull and create a buzz.
"We are relaunching the product under the name Mad Buzz and are confident that Mad Buzz will continue to turn people on and inspire them as much as it did before," said Altriche.
He said his company was considering legal action to prevent the removal of its products from shop shelves. Altriche said the court ruling did not stipulate the removal of current Mad Bull stock from the retail market.
"We have responded to Red Bull's request in writing, questioning them about the instructions which were not part of the ruling. The issue is with our legal advisers," said Altriche.
Asked about financial implications that could result from the court ruling and the possible withdrawal of the Mad Bull stock from shops, Altriche said the stock had already been sold and did therefore "not belong to us".
Altriche also said Rizo Investments did not deal with the chain retail stores. "We deal with independent stores like little corner shops and garages to supply our products."
He added the new Mad Buzz drink would be available in the next few weeks.