Wetherspoon threatens legal action against meal deal mimics
JD Wetherspoon has accused its competitors of copying meal deal offers and threated legal action against those who do not revise their promotions.
The pub giant has claimed that cases have occurred at pubs owned by Stonegate, Greene King, Whitbread and Mitchells & Butlers.
Chairman Tim Martin said it was "pitiful when large companies like those mentioned use the exact wording for their marketing activity".
Wetherspoon claimed that Stonegate removed a ‘Beer & Burger' offer that included the exact description which is the subject of a Wetherspoon trademark, while it said Greene King withdrew a ‘Deli Deal' offer that also featured wording that was trademarked by Wetherspoon.
Martin said that the latest example was a ‘Steak club' and ‘Chicken Club' used in the Miller & Carter chain and Sizzling Pub Company respectively, both operated by Mitchells & Butler.
He added: "It is rather pitiful when large companies like those mentioned use the exact wording for their marketing activity which has usually been running at Wetherspoon pubs for many years.
"These trademarks have been granted to Wetherspoon because there is a risk that the public is fooled into believing that these offers are being made by Wetherspoon or are connected to Wetherspoon.
"You would think that these competitors would be able to come up with their own ideas, but they are obviously struggling in this area."
Martin said that the pub firm would take strong action if their trademarks were not respected.
He said: "We will unfortunately have to take legal action if these infringements of our trademarks do not cease, but, more importantly, the mere fact that competitors are directly copying our offers will be a serious concern for the shareholders of the offending companies."