McDonald's to appeal after losing EU trademark battle over the Big Mac
McDonald’s has lost out in its battle in the European courts over its trademark on its Big Mac burger in the EU.
The David and Goliath legal battle was sparked by an Irish restaurant chain called Supermac's, which calls McDonald's a "trademark bully" trying to stop the company from trademarking its own name in the EU, which would help it expand beyond Ireland and Northern Ireland.
The US fast food chain had argued that Supermac's was too close in name to the trademarked burger and would confuse the public.
However, the EU Intellectual Property Office ruled on Tuesday that the McDonald’s was not using the trademark in accordance with EU law.
"We are disappointed in the EUIPO's decision and believe this decision did not take into account the substantial evidence submitted by McDonald's proving use of our Big Mac mark throughout Europe," a McDonald's spokesperson said in a statement.
Sheridan Randall, 16th January 2019
