McDonald's Big Mac Battle in the EU
June 11, 2024, 9:32 am
The clash of the fast-food titans has reached a boiling point in the European Union. McDonald's, the global burger behemoth, has been stripped of its exclusive rights to the iconic "Big Mac" name for chicken products in the EU. The ruling came down from the Court of Justice of the European Union, siding with the underdog Irish chain, Supermac's, in a trademark tussle that has been sizzling since 2017.
Initially, the European Union Intellectual Property Office granted Supermac's request to revoke McDonald's Big Mac trademark for chicken products, but later backtracked to protect the beefy burgers. However, the CJEU flipped the script, citing McDonald's failure to prove substantial use of the Big Mac label for poultry items.
McDonald's may have lost the battle for chicken, but the war rages on for its beefy Big Macs. The decision only impacts the use of the name for chicken products, with the beef burgers still under the golden arches' protection. The Chicken Big Mac, an elusive menu item in the EU, remains untouched by the ruling.
Supermac's hailed the decision as a victory against trademark tyranny, with Managing Director Pat McDonagh applauding the court for shedding light on corporate bullying tactics. The ruling paves the way for Supermac's expansion across the EU, challenging McDonald's dominance in the region.
McDonald's, undeterred by the setback, emphasized that the ruling does not hinder its right to brandish the beloved Big Mac for its beef burgers. The company remains steadfast in its commitment to serving communities across Europe with its iconic sandwich.
As the dust settles on this fast-food feud, the implications of the ruling extend beyond mere burger names. It signals a shift in the trademark landscape, empowering smaller businesses to take on industry giants in the arena of intellectual property rights. The clash of the burger giants may have ended in a victory for the underdog, but the battle for market supremacy continues to sizzle in the fast-food arena.
Initially, the European Union Intellectual Property Office granted Supermac's request to revoke McDonald's Big Mac trademark for chicken products, but later backtracked to protect the beefy burgers. However, the CJEU flipped the script, citing McDonald's failure to prove substantial use of the Big Mac label for poultry items.
McDonald's may have lost the battle for chicken, but the war rages on for its beefy Big Macs. The decision only impacts the use of the name for chicken products, with the beef burgers still under the golden arches' protection. The Chicken Big Mac, an elusive menu item in the EU, remains untouched by the ruling.
Supermac's hailed the decision as a victory against trademark tyranny, with Managing Director Pat McDonagh applauding the court for shedding light on corporate bullying tactics. The ruling paves the way for Supermac's expansion across the EU, challenging McDonald's dominance in the region.
McDonald's, undeterred by the setback, emphasized that the ruling does not hinder its right to brandish the beloved Big Mac for its beef burgers. The company remains steadfast in its commitment to serving communities across Europe with its iconic sandwich.
As the dust settles on this fast-food feud, the implications of the ruling extend beyond mere burger names. It signals a shift in the trademark landscape, empowering smaller businesses to take on industry giants in the arena of intellectual property rights. The clash of the burger giants may have ended in a victory for the underdog, but the battle for market supremacy continues to sizzle in the fast-food arena.