McDonald's protests over Supermac's attempt to register its name in the EU
According to The Irish Times, the founder and managing director of Supermac's has expressed surprise at McDonald's attempts to stop the registration of the "Supermac's" trademark in the EU.
McDonald's opens a new restaurant in Ballincollig, Co. Cork.
Photo: Dominik Walsh.
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The report said that McDonald's lodged a 41-page complaint with the EU’s Office for Harmonisation in the Internal Market over attempts by Supermac's to register its company name in the EU.
The fast-food company said that by using the Supermac's name in the EU, the Galway-based group would take unfair advantage of the "distinctive character and repute" of McDonald's own trademarks such as the Big Mac and Chicken McNuggets.
However, Pat McDonagh, founder and managing director of Supermac's, said the two fast food outlets were “two very distinctive brands” with immediately identifiable menus and a clear difference in ingredients.
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“The strongest point they make is that there may be confusion between the Supermac’s name and their own name,” he said.
McDonagh added that the Supermac's brand is preparing a formal response to McDonald's objections.
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The report said that McDonald's lodged a 41-page complaint with the EU’s Office for Harmonisation in the Internal Market over attempts by Supermac's to register its company name in the EU.
The fast-food company said that by using the Supermac's name in the EU, the Galway-based group would take unfair advantage of the "distinctive character and repute" of McDonald's own trademarks such as the Big Mac and Chicken McNuggets.
However, Pat McDonagh, founder and managing director of Supermac's, said the two fast food outlets were “two very distinctive brands” with immediately identifiable menus and a clear difference in ingredients.
“The strongest point they make is that there may be confusion between the Supermac’s name and their own name,” he said.
McDonagh added that the Supermac's brand is preparing a formal response to McDonald's objections.
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