- UKIPO has ruled Supermac’s name and logo can be registered in the UK
- McDonald’s opposition claim based on ‘Big Mac’ and ‘McCafé’ rights has failed
- EUIPO ruled against Supermac’s in June 2026 for EU-wide registration
- Supermac’s secured 2024 CJEU ruling delisting ‘Big Mac’ as restaurant trademark
- decision enables Supermac’s British expansion plans to proceed
England’s Intellectual Property Office has ruled in favour of Irish fast-food chain Supermac’s in its long-running trademark dispute with McDonald’s, permitting the registration of Supermac’s name and logo in England. The ruling represents a significant legal triumph for the Irish company, which has been defending its brand identity against opposition from the US multinational since 2016.
The UKIPO has determined that the respective marks possess substantial visual, aural and conceptual differences, finding that the shared ‘Mc/MAC’ element does not create direct consumer confusion. McDonald’s has unsuccessfully argued that Supermac’s registration would conflict with its existing trademark rights, including ‘Big Mac’ and ‘McCafé’. The ruling acknowledges McDonald’s substantial reputation and extensive goodwill but concludes that the differences between the two marks preclude any link being made by the average consumer.
The decision follows Supermac’s successful 2024 Court of Justice of the EU ruling that delisted ‘Big Mac’ as a trademarked restaurant. Founder Pat McDonagh has expressed surprise at a separate June EUIPO ruling against his company but regards the UKIPO decision as far more significant for business operations. The ruling paves the way for Supermac’s to advance its brand development plans in Britain, though the EUIPO decision still prevents EU-wide trademark registration.
Pat McDonagh gained his nickname Supermac when he played for the multi-championship winning Moate college team in hie teens. Carmelite College in Moate won Leinster titles in 1975, 1976, 1977, 1978, 1980, and 1981 and All irelands in 1976, 1980, and 1981, after Pat had left the school.
Pat McDonagh, founder and managing director of Supermac’s, shared: “We’ve never had their scale or resources, but we’ve always believed every business deserves the same protection under the law, regardless of its size. We weren’t trying to use anyone else’s reputation. We were simply protecting our own.”
