Little Pig, a popular restaurant in Dublin, is taking legal action against Little Pyg, a nearby establishment, for alleged trademark infringement. The owner of Little Pig, Michael Martin, claims that Little Pyg’s name, logo, and overall branding closely resemble his restaurant’s, causing confusion among customers.
According to Mr. Gilligan, the barrister representing Little Pig, numerous cases have been identified where customers mistakenly attended Little Pyg, believing it to be Little Pig. This mix-up has resulted in missed reservations and lost business for Little Pig. In fact, Mr. Martin was able to identify 35 separate incidents where customers who should have been at Little Pig ended up at Little Pyg.
In response to the ongoing confusion, Little Pig has been granted permission by Judge John O’Connor to serve Little Pyg with a short notice of legal proceedings. Little Pig seeks injunctions against Little Pyg, compelling them to stop trading under the name Little Pyg and remove all signage, images, and social media content associated with Little Pyg.
Additionally, Little Pig intends to seek restraint on the use of the name Little Pyg, arguing that it infringes upon their registered trademark. The similarity between the names and logos of the two establishments has led to customer confusion, affecting Little Pig’s business reputation.
Little Pig, originally established in 2006 and known for its success as The Blind Pig Speakeasy, faced a direct challenge in November 2019 when Little Pyg opened close to Little Pig’s location. Little Pyg’s proximity and similar name led to Christmas party attendees mistakenly going to Little Pyg instead of Little Pig.
Despite an agreement between the two establishments to redirect confused customers, the problem persisted. Little Pyg went on to change its logo to resemble Little Pig’s and even opened a new restaurant called Little Pyg Terrace, using a logo that closely mirrored the Little Pig logo. The similarities extended to the menus and exclusive chairs found in Little Pig.
Mr. Martin stated that numerous customers continue to contact him each week, unknowingly attending Little Pyg when they intended to visit Little Pig. He believes that Little Pyg’s intentional use of a similar name and logo constitutes trademark infringement and passing off.
In conclusion, Little Pig is seeking legal recourse to protect its trademark and prevent further confusion among customers. The outcome of this legal battle will determine whether Little Pyg can continue trading under its current name and branding.
FAQ
What is Little Pig accusing Little Pyg of?
Little Pig is accusing Little Pyg of trademark infringement and passing off, claiming that Little Pyg’s name, logo, and overall branding closely resemble their own.
How has this confusion affected Little Pig?
The mix-up caused by the similarities between the two establishments has resulted in missed reservations and lost business for Little Pig.
What legal actions is Little Pig taking against Little Pyg?
Little Pig has been granted permission to serve Little Pyg with short notice of legal proceedings. They are seeking injunctive relief, compelling Little Pyg to stop trading as Little Pyg and remove all associated signage, images, and social media content.
Will Little Pig continue to redirect confused customers?
It is unclear whether Little Pig will continue redirecting customers who mistakenly go to Little Pyg. The legal action being taken against Little Pyg suggests that a resolution is sought to prevent further confusion.