McDonald`s loses right to exclusive use of Big Mac brand

17:21 - 16.01.2019


January 16, Fineko/abc.az. The Intellectual Property Office of the European Union (EUIPO) has deprived American fast food chain McDonald`s of the exclusive right to use trademark Big Mac in Europe.

That was reported by The Irish Times.

The Irish daily newspaper reports that McDonald's lost a lawsuit with Irish fast food chain Supermac's for the right to use brand Big Mac on the EU area. In accord with EU law, the genuine use of the trademark is possible where it is necessary for guarantee of the identity of origin of goods.

The McDonald's reps stated that buyers will confuse name Supermac's with popular burger Big Mac. Supermac's accused McDonald's of registering brand names and "storing them to use against future competitors."

During the proceedings, the EUIPO found out that the evidence provided by McDonald's was insufficient to establish an exclusive right to use the trademark by the American network. Such a verdict means that from now Supermac's can give name Big Mac to any of its products. In addition, the Company will be able to expand its network of institutions outside Ireland, entering the European market.

The McDonald's reps announced their intention to appeal the verdict, stressing that the Company is the owner of "full and legally enforceable rights to the Big Mac trademark throughout Europe".

McDonald's has had the exclusive right to use the Big Mac trademark on the EU territory since 1996.

 

Вся лента