M&S has eliminated an merchandise from its web site after a pub chain accused the retail firm of “ripping off” its identify.
The black and white “Pure Cotton Brewery Graphic T-Shirt” was on supply full with the wording “Craft Beer Co.” on the entrance.
The Craft Beer Co tweeted the retailer on Thursday, asking: “What’s the idea with these T shirts!?
“Can we anticipate a royalties cheque within the publish!? Surely one iconic British Institution should not be ripping off one other…!!?”
M&S had described the T-shirt as having “St Michael Brewery-themed graphics on the again and chest” giving the item “a particular really feel”.
‘We did not imply to trigger any bitter-ness’
In response to the pub chain’s tweet, M&S stated: “We didn’t mean to cause any ‘bitter-ness’ so have removed the tee from sale so we can investigate.
“Can we chat about it over a (craft) beer…later? On us after all!”
The pub replied and said: “The most iconic identify on the British excessive road paying homage to us has been taken with the respect it was little doubt meant.”
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Reviewers on M&S’s web site additionally accused the retailer of being “sexist” as a result of “for proper good blokes” slogan on the shirt.
“This is a rip-off of The Craft Beer Co. and the writing is sexist,” one of many feedback stated.
Another person wrote: “Unbelievable sexist wording in this day and age.”
A spokesperson for M&S advised Sky News the corporate takes mental property “very seriously.”
It stated: “We take intellectual property very seriously and, while the T-shirt was designed in good faith, we’ve taken the decision to remove the product from sale so we can investigate further.”
‘The tables have turned’
On Thursday, grocery store chain Aldi additionally chimed in saying: “OH HOW THE TABLES HAVE TURNED.”
M&S took authorized motion towards Aldi in 2021, claiming the grocery store was infringing the trademark of its Colin the Caterpillar cake, earlier than a settlement was reached final 12 months.
Content Source: information.sky.com