The months-long trademark dispute between Swiss firearms manufacturer B&T AG and its former American licensee concluded June 25 as both parties announced a comprehensive settlement, with Soldier Systems Daily and AmmoLand News both reporting from the announcement. Under the agreement, US trademarks for the B&T brand return to the Swiss parent company, all pending litigation will be dismissed, and B&T AG will establish a new wholly Swiss-owned US operation before the end of 2026.

The dispute began publicly in February when B&T AG — officially Brügger & Thomet AG, the Thun, Switzerland-based manufacturer of tactical rifles, submachine guns, and suppressors used by law enforcement and military customers worldwide — terminated its licensing agreement with B&T USA LLC over what it described as repeated failure to pay outstanding licensing fees and product invoices dating to 2023. B&T AG says it issued multiple formal payment demands throughout 2025, including a notice of default in January 2026. In-person settlement discussions during SHOT Show week that month did not produce an agreement.

B&T USA LLC responded by filing a federal trademark infringement lawsuit against B&T AG, its CEO Karl Brügger, and an associated entity in March in the US Middle District of Florida (case 8:26-cv-00714), accusing the Swiss side of unauthorized use of the B&T trademark in US commerce and attempting to seize trademark control. The Loadout Blog covered the filing and B&T USA's subsequent public statement disputing B&T AG's account of the fee dispute.

The June 25 settlement resolves all litigation. According to B&T AG's official statement, the US trademarks are now back under Swiss control and the company is building the logistical, legal, and staffing infrastructure required for a direct American presence. The new entity will provide "a reliable supply chain, customer support, and direct access to authentic, Swiss-made products and accessories," per the announcement. No specific launch date or organizational structure for the US entity has been disclosed.

For distributors and retailers who carry B&T products, the key pending question is whether the transition from B&T USA to the new B&T AG direct entity will disrupt existing dealer agreements and pricing structures. Neither company has addressed those commercial terms in their public statements. Existing B&T product owners should continue to contact B&T USA for warranty service, technical support, and parts in the meantime — a point both companies confirmed.

The settlement clears a channel disruption that created uncertainty for dealers and customers since early 2026. B&T's US catalog — which includes the SPC9 pistol-caliber carbine, APC series rifles, and a suppressor lineup with strong footing in the law enforcement and civilian markets — remained available through B&T USA during the dispute, but questions around backorders and long-term parts support were unsettled. B&T AG's commitment to stand up a wholly owned US operation by year's end represents the clearest statement yet on the brand's long-term path in the American market.