At a Glance

Ahmedabad-based McPatel Foods Pvt Ltd has sued McDonald’s Corporation, challenging its exclusive claim to the ‘Mc’ prefix. Known for its ‘Ohh! Potato’s French fries, McPatel calls the legal threats baseless and seeks protection under Section 142 of the Trademarks Act.

McDonald’s Sent Legal Notice

McPatel’s senior advocate, H.S. Tolia, stated that McDonald’s served a legal notice demanding the removal of the ‘Mc’ Prefix from McPatel’s brand, citing trademark infringement. The American fast-food giant allegedly warned of legal action if McPatel didn’t comply. McDonald’s initiated mandatory mediation at the Delhi High Court, but failed to reach a compromise. With no resolution, McPatel escalated the matter to the Ahmedabad rural court.

McPatel Defends Its Identity

McPatel argues that ‘Mc’ is a generic prefix with Gaelic roots meaning “son of” and is widely used in surnames and business names globally. The company claims McDonald’s cannot monopolise the prefix across all branding contexts. The Ahmedabad court has taken up the case and issued a notice to McDonald’s. The next hearing is set for July 28. This case may influence how Indian courts weigh trademark rights against fair competition, especially involving global brands and commonly used name elements.

Source: FoodTech News