Wetherspoons cited examples include Stonegate advertising a ‘Beer & Burger’ offer using the “exact description which is the subject of a Wetherspoon trademark.” JDW says Stongegate removed the offer once the infringement of the trademark was drawn to its attention.
The company said: “Greene King also infringed Wetherspoon’s trademark by copying exactly the working of its ‘Deli Deal.’ Greene King also withdrew the offer once the infringement was pointed out.
“Whitbread’s Premier Inn also recently started promoting a ‘Curry Club’ also infringing Wetherspoon’s trademark and it is believed they have now removed this offer, following a warning from Wetherspoon lawyers.
“In the latest example, M&B has started using the words ‘Steak Club’ for its Miller and Carter chain and also ‘Chicken Club’ for its Sizzling Pub Company.”
Wetherspoon chairman Tim Martin said: “It is rather pitiful when large companies like those mentioned use the exact wording for their marketing activity which has 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 connected to Wetherspoon.
“You would think that these competitors would be able to come up with their own ideas, but they are obviously struggling. I was gobsmacked the other day to walk past a Greene King pub, which is the nearest pub to my house to discover they are running a ‘Fish Friday.’
“This was a name invented by Wetherspoon employees at a meeting I attended and the same is true of all the other offers which are protected by trademarks.
“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.”