McDonald’s has won a trademark dispute against an unwanted copycat.
And the court victory means any food in the European Union with the prefix 'Mc' or 'Mac' that isn't owned by the fast food giant is in breach of trademark.
The case, before the European Union’s second-highest court, arose from a trademark registered by a Singaporean company called Future Enterprises.
In 2008, the company applied to have the name 'MACCOFFEE' registered as an EU trademark for food and beverages. The application was accepted by the European Union Intellectual Property Office two years later.
McDonald’s sought to have the trademark declared invalid, as the company owns dozens of EU-registered trademarks, all using the prefixes Mc or Mac, like 'McRib', 'McFlurry' and 'McToast'.
The approval was reversed by the EU Intellectual Property Office in 2013, leading Future Enterprises to appeal the decision to Luxembourg.The judges at General Court of Luxembourg ruled in McDonald’s’ favour yesterday.
"According to the General Court, the repute of McDonald's trademarks make it possible to prevent the registration, for foods or beverages, of trademarks combining the prefix 'Mac' or 'Mc' with the name of a...
