Palmetto Hospitality Association, which has been running ads against a referendum to end the minibottle requirement, agreed in court in Columbia on Friday to stop using the words "hospitality association" in its ads.

The agreement, accepted by Judge James Barber as a court order, was in response to a lawsuit by the S.C. Hospitality Association, which has fought for years for an end to the minibottle requirement.

The agreement means the Palmetto group cannot use its name on ads from 5 p.m. Friday to 7 p.m. Tuesday. If an ad cannot be changed, it must have the statement that the group is not affiliated with the S.C. Hospitality Association.

"The Hospitality Association name has been exonerated by this agreement," said David Miller, co-chairman of the organization.

Attorneys for Palmetto Hospitality Association did not return phone calls seeking comment.

Brad Dean, president of the Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce, said the agreement was good news.

"We're pleased, and we hope that will clarify with the voters who it is who is opposing the referendum," Dean said.

The agreement said the Palmetto group "denies any wrongdoing or liability with respect to the allegations."

The Palmetto group provided the name and phone number for its spokeswoman as a contact for any member of the Hospitality Association to call if a violation of the agreement is seen or heard.

If it gets a complaint, the Palmetto group "agrees to conduct immediate investigation of the alleged violation and undertake all actions necessary to discontinue or prevent any such violations," the agreement says.

Violations of the agreement could result in a citation for contempt of court.

The court action did not resolve the issue of whom is backing the campaign. The Associated Press reported that attorneys for the Palmetto group told Barber that a "Mr. Sisk" requested it to incorporate the group.

The group would not confirm if the backer is Michael Sisk, chief financial officer of Ben Arnold, the state's largest liquor distributor, the news agency said.

The agreement was signed only with initials that appear to be "M.S." as vice president of the Palmetto Group. The name is not spelled out under the initials.

The Palmetto group has said its members include liquor distributors and stores.

The Hospitality Association objected that those are not in the hospitality business and that the ads were misleading.