News

Burger King embroiled in trademark dispute with vegetarian concept in India

November 19, 2014

As Burger King gets ready to enter India, the parent company is embroiled in a trademark dispute with Indian company, Burger King Restaurant Pvt. Ltd.

According to a news release, Burger King Corporation is threatening Burger King Restaurant Pvt. Ltd. With "legal consequences" over an "alleged" trademark violation.

Burger King Restaurant Pvt. Ltd., which has been in business since 1996, serves a vegetarian burger and has plans to expand in street carts.

Its manager, Shyam Hotchandani, said in the release, however, that it is being pressured to abandon all of its business plans to "make way" for Burger King's entry into the market. He said the parent company was aware of the Indian company's business and "never objected to it until now."

"Burger King Corporation never wanted to set up in India because of its predominant beef burger offering," he said, adding that the conflict of interest does not exist because Burger King Corporation has not used its trademark in India.