Food Empire wins legal fight in Lithuania to use MacCoffee 3-in-1 brand

FOOD Empire Holdings has won a legal battle in Lithuania to continue using its MacCoffee 3-in-1 brand despite objections by fast-food chain McDonald's.

Food Empire, which makes instant coffee packets, said in an announcement that it has received a favourable ruling from Lithuania's Supreme Court after a three-year fight. The judges found that Food Empire's MacCoffee 3-in-1 brand was not "confusingly similar" to McDonald's McCAFE, the company said.

"We are happy with the outcome and this has established a basis in one of the members of the European Union," Food Empire executive chairman Tan Wang Cheow said in a statement. "Food Empire has been operating in Lithuania for more than a decade and the court's decision will allow us to continue to build on the success of our brand."

Food Empire shares closed at 34 Singapore cents on Monday, lower by 2.9 per cent or one Singapore cent, before the announcement.