| 1st October 1996 |
McDonald's Restaurants Ltd 11-59 High Road East Finchley Lodon N2 8AW Telephone 0181-700 7000 Facsimlie 0181-700 7050 |
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Dear Mr McDonald,
Thank you for your letter of 25th September 1996. The matter to which you refer involving McDonald's trademarks involves the use of names and logos in such a way as would be likely to confuse the public. We are unable to discuss the detail of this matter as it is now under consideration by lawyers representing both sides. However, we would like to assure you such action is not taken without due consideration of the circumstances in which names and logos are used. We have sepent many years establishing our trademarks and logos and these are recofnised and trusted by our customers. We therefore seek to protect that recognition to ensure that people are not misled or confused. The reference to you own name is a different issue, but one involving many of the same considerations. The registration of an individual's name at birth does not confer any rights as to the use of that name commercially. These uses are controlled by law to protect individuals and organisations having registered names for those purposes. In the case of our company name, it may be of interest to you that the name was the family name of Dick and 'Mac' McDonald who opened their first resturant bearing that name in Pasadena in 1937. The character Ronald McDonald first appeared in advertising in 1963 and has been used in the name of Ronald McDonald Children's Charities since 1984. The names 'McDonald's' and 'Ronald McDonald' are registered for the uses to which they are put and are therefore protected by law from trademark infringement. Yours sincerely,
Mike Love |
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Registered Office 11-59 High Road East Finchley Lodon N2 8AW |