Current:Home > InvestMcDonald's loses "Big Mac" trademark as EU court sides with Irish rival Supermac's -Wealth Axis Pro
McDonald's loses "Big Mac" trademark as EU court sides with Irish rival Supermac's
View
Date:2025-04-12 19:12:09
McDonald's lost a European Union trademark dispute over the Big Mac name after a top European Union court sided Wednesday with Irish fast-food rival Supermac's in a long-running legal battle.
The EU General Court said in its judgment that the U.S. fast-food giant failed to prove that it was genuinely using the Big Mac label over a five-year period for chicken sandwiches, poultry products or restaurants.
The Big Mac is a hamburger made of two beef patties, cheese, lettuce, onions, pickles and Big Mac sauce. It was invented in 1968 by a Pennsylvania franchisee who thought the company needed a sandwich that appealed to adults.
- Top McDonald's exec says $18 Big Mac meal is "exception"
- Burger King to launch $5 meal ahead of similar promo from rival McDonald's
- McDonald's buying back its franchises in Israel as boycott hurt sales
The decision is about more than burger names. It opens the door for Galway-based Supermac's expansion into other EU countries. The dispute erupted when Supermac's applied to register its company name in the EU as it drew up expansion plans. McDonald's objected, saying consumers would be confused because it already trademarked the Big Mac name.
Supermac's filed a 2017 request with the EU's Intellectual Property Office to revoke McDonald's Big Mac trademark registration, saying the U.S. company couldn't prove that it had used the name for certain categories that aren't specifically related to the burger over five years. That's the window of time in Europe that a trademark has to be used before it can be taken away.
"McDonald's has not proved that the contested mark has been put to genuine use" in connection with chicken sandwiches, food made from poultry products or operating restaurants and drive-throughs and preparing take-out food, the court said, according to a press summary of its decision.
After the regulator partially approved Supermac's request, McDonald's appealed to the EU court.
Supermac's portrayed the decision as a David and Goliath-style victory. Managing Director Pat McDonagh accused McDonald's of "trademark bullying to stifle competition."
- Americans are choking on surging fast-food prices
- Wendy's offers $3 breakfast combo as budget-conscious consumers recoil from high prices
"This is a significant ruling that takes a common-sense approach to the use of trademarks by large multi-nationals. It represents a significant victory for small businesses throughout the world," McDonagh said in a statement.
The Irish company doesn't sell a sandwich called the Big Mac but does have one called the Mighty Mac with the same ingredients.
McDonald's was unfazed by the ruling, which can be appealed to the European Court of Justice, the bloc's highest court, but only on points of law.
"The decision by the EU General Court does not affect our right to use the 'BIG MAC' trademark," the company said in a press statement. "Our iconic Big Mac is loved by customers all across Europe, and we're excited to continue to proudly serve local communities, as we have done for decades."
- In:
- Politics
- European Union
veryGood! (376)
Related
- NHL in ASL returns, delivering American Sign Language analysis for Deaf community at Winter Classic
- Stephen Nedoroscik’s Girlfriend Tess McCracken Has Seen Your Memes—And She Has a Favorite
- Lance Bass Shares He Has Type 1.5 Diabetes After Being Misdiagnosed Years Ago
- Legislation will provide $100M in emergency aid to victims of wildfires and flooding in New Mexico
- Jorge Ramos reveals his final day with 'Noticiero Univision': 'It's been quite a ride'
- Former Michigan State football coach Mel Tucker sues university over his firing
- Prince Harry and Meghan Markle Share Rare Family Update During First Joint Interview in 3 Years
- 4 Las Vegas teens agree to plead guilty as juveniles in deadly beating of high school student
- Paige Bueckers vs. Hannah Hidalgo highlights women's basketball games to watch
- Teen brother of Air Force airman who was killed by Florida deputy is shot to death near Atlanta
Ranking
- Residents worried after ceiling cracks appear following reroofing works at Jalan Tenaga HDB blocks
- 2 New York City police officers shot while responding to robbery, both expected to survive
- Who Is Rebeca Andrade? Meet Simone Biles’ Biggest Competition in Gymnastics
- Do Swimmers Pee in the Pool? How Do Gymnasts Avoid Wedgies? All Your Olympics Questions Answered
- Average rate on 30
- The Daily Money: Rate cuts coming soon?
- Pucker Up, Lipstick Addicts! These 40% Off Deals Are Selling Out Fast: Fenty Beauty, Too Faced & More
- Save 50% on Miranda Kerr's Kora Organics, 70% on Banana Republic, 50% on Le Creuset & Today's Top Deals
Recommendation
Nearly 400 USAID contract employees laid off in wake of Trump's 'stop work' order
2024 Olympics: Serena Williams' Husband Alexis Ohanian, Flavor Flav Pay Athlete Veronica Fraley’s Rent
16-year-old brother fatally shot months after US airman Roger Fortson was killed by deputy
'Batman: Caped Crusader' is (finally) the Dark Knight of our dreams: Review
How to watch new prequel series 'Dexter: Original Sin': Premiere date, cast, streaming
US rowers Michelle Sechser, Molly Reckford get one more chance at Olympic glory
Alsu Kurmasheva, Russian-American journalist, freed in historic prisoner swap
Proposed rule would ban airlines from charging parents to sit with their children