Thu 10 Sep 2009
Malaysia: McDonald’s vs McCurry
Posted by Mong Palatino under Balkers
[7] Comments
Malaysia’s Federal Court has ruled that McDonald’s trademark name was not violated by McCurry, a local Indian restaurant which is popular in Kuala Lumpur.
McCurry, which opened in 1999, was sued by McDonald’s in 2001. According to the owners of McCurry, the “Mc” prefix in the restaurant’s name stands for Malaysian Chicken Curry.
Here are some reactions of bloggers to the historic court ruling:
As Suanie Sees It believes that some Davids in David vs Goliath fights are merely opportunists:
I’m like any other David, I love a good triumph over Goliaths. But sometimes I feel that certain Davids are merely opportunists, and when confronted they would argue that the Goliaths are major international corporations and have endless money, hence could afford to bully them. Of course there are many Goliaths who do that and should be stumped, but in some cases the Davids are no better. When it comes to McDonald’s vs McCurry, I feel that this is one of them
Commenting on a post, Melissa believes that many people know that McCurry is different from McDonald’s:
Of course they were totally riding on McDonalds’ wave, but considering the food they serve is completely different and I’m sure a lot of people know how different they both are and don’t associate them with each other, I guess I don’t see a problem with it
Eyeris wonders why McDonald’s did not sue another local “Mc” restaurant:
There’s another restaurant in Jelatek called McKandar… but just because it’s not as popular as McCurry, I suppose McD’s didn’t bother suing them. So does this mean McD’s only sues companies with the ‘Mc’ if they are doing well, perhaps better than any nearby McD outlets? Hmmm
Anonymous X advises McCurry to open outlets in the US and UK
“McCurry” should really consider expanding its business to US & UK. Many love to read such a heart-warming story about how a giant multinational company is utterly embarrassed by being so picky against a local enterprise who just wants to use the prefix “Mc”.
It’s just a prefix, for goodness’ sake!
Carl Parkes fears McCurry-like restaurants will open in other Asian countries
Silly stuff, but if McDonalds doesn’t defend it’s franchise around the world, we might see McSatays in Bali, McAdobo in Manila, and McSomTam in Bangkok.
The Bluesman asks if other local restaurants will be inspired by McCurry’s victory
Will there be other outlets wanting to use the prefix ‘Mc’ now that the prefix appears to be no more a monopoly by the McDonald’s. My favourite siamese restaurant Mek Habsah TomYam maybe wanting to change their name to McHabsah TomYam to lend themselves with some international credence or something. Or maybe we can now have other ‘Mc’ related names in our other local food chains say like McNasiLemak, McSatay, McRotiCanai, McFriedKwayTiau, McChickenRice, and so the challenge to McDonald’s seems endless.
The blogger writes that consumers will decide if McCurry clones will survive the market
But business is still business, which means that finally it’s the people like us, the customers, who will decide as to whether or not any business concern will continue to exist in the market place.
My Journal theorizes on why McDonald’s was persistent in its suit versus McCurry
I think, McDonald insist on pursuing this matter because they also one day would roll out their new product called McCurry. Since they also lost the battle, they have to give their dish another name, may be “McDonald Curry”.
After learning about the court ruling, Malaysian Life exclaims
Wow, I don’t believe it but it’s true. I guess it is possible to beat an international company in a lawsuit.
Twitter reactions from Malaysia:
dannyfoo: Did McDonalds realize their suit just gives McCurry free publicity and bigger awareness?
hasyudeen: When it comes to defending your rights, do not lose hope!
obel1: the new international foodie destination: McCurry
IamMalaysian: OKAY. So, McDonald’s loses legal battle with Malaysia’s McCurry. But who the hell cares?! Enuf already!
davinarul: McD might sue McCurry again if they sell wild boar, ‘cos Kaattu Pandi sounds too much like Quarter Pounder
davinarul: Does this open the door for McCurry to offer Egg McThosai, Sardine McChanai (with cheese), Moru shake and Tairu Twist?
altimet: I’m going there for some damn McCurry, damn it!
ZhiQ: nasty clown! now way any sane Malaysian can get confuse with McCurry, thinkin it’s McD. me McDontKnow lah. lol!
LOL. I tend to think McDonald’s would have won that lawsuit in the U.S… ;^)
Americans generally, are so badly informed on the rest of the modern world. Many wouldn’t even be able to place the city of Kuala Lumpur in the nation of Malaysia (nor place either on the turning globe at B/P Main… ;^)
It’s in fact a world-class city with all kinds of Eastern & Western influences. See this Wikipedia page.
that curry chicken sounds pretty good! they should make a deal with McD’s now and open some McCurrys up in America :)
this is such an awful day for us 9/11. please remember those lost today
Welcome aboard Bill. Notice how the letters on the sign look almost exactly like the font used on McDonald’s signs. All they need now, is a Ronald McCurry mascot… ;^)
Since the court in Malaysia didn’t stop McCurry’s from hijacking the name and signage, now there’s nothing stopping others from cutting in on the action.
How about CFC? Curry Fried Chicken!
Roy G
I guess you are correct is saying that most Americans do not know where Kuala Lumbar is,
and some do not know even where Malaysia is.
But do not be surprised, that even people in other countries do not know these things, because
the other day I went to my local library here in Sicily, and we were in a friendly discussion where
the word Beijing came up, and the librarian said where is that, and I replied it is the capital of
China, she shrugged her head and said that the capital of China is Peking, but finally I clarified
it to her through the encyclopedia, and the funny thing is this person holds a doctorate degree.
So this clearly indicates that we always have something to learn each day.
I believe some people are closed in their chosen field of studies, in which they are probably
expert in it, and are too busy to look into other studies, or take time to be curious of what
is going on in the world around them.
And I believe this is the main problem today, we have
lost the general curiousity to learn other things outside of our localized field of studies.
I have taken the habit to read on different subjects, and to study various people, their habits
their culture, where they come from, and their way of living, and frequently I consult various
encyclopedia to verify.
Of course it takes a lot of my time, but at least it satisfies my curiosity,
and I wish that I could pass this couriosity upon others, to learn what is going on in
this planet, and to be active in promoting at least to get to know one another, and to learn
to accept our differences for creating a more peaceful place to live in, and to expand our tolerance,
in accepting the expansion of more world immigration, rather than resorting to isolationism, and
becoming closed societies, which is the breeding ground towards racial racism.
Sammy from Sicily
Funny stuff, Sammy. My issue with these franchises is that the world is beginning to become too much alike. I was in Munich last month and except for scarves worn by women, everyone was dressed so similar to North Americans that I forgot I was in a foreign country a few times. That’s sure takes the charm out of travel. The stores, and even the cars are starting to look alike. The world getting smaller and flatter is not necessarily a good thing.
Welcome aboard Canadian in America. That would make a good Balk topic if you want to submit it.
In a sense franchises prove the universality of human preferences – certain foods or clothes or cars, that just appeal to people regardless of borders. But they also add sameness to very disparate places. Similar critiques have been made of American cities for several decades now. More alike than different…