Mercedes-Benz in bitter row with brewery over claims boozer copied its logo
MERCEDES -Benz is embroiled in a bitter row with a brewery over claims the boozer stole their logo - but neither will back down.
The iconic car manufacturer has gone after a micro-brewery in Sunderland, and threatened legal action if owner, Julio Romero Johnson, doesn't back down.
Lawyers from Mercedes have slapped the Wear Beer brewery with a "notice of threatened opposition" and left Julio with a month to respond.
If he fails to do so, he could be facing extortionate legal bills which would destroy his small business, which runs out of the pub basement.
Julio, 33, who set up the tiny brewery this summer, explained he registered for the logo in July and was subjected to a two month period during which anyone can oppose.
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"It was the last day of that period when the letter arrived (from Mercedes-Benz)," he said.
"I was like 'flipping heck that's not what I was expecting'.
"I was thinking what do I do? I wanted to oppose it, but it was frightening.
"It's a lot of money to fight them and then if you lose you have to pay them."
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The brewery owner claimed he wrote back to the industry giant but they still insisted he drop his similar logo.
"They said they owned the three-pointed star in a circle," he said.
"They haven't sent a cease and desist letter yet so I'm going to keep it for now.
"It's just the three pointed star and it says Wear Beer with a great big worm, so I don't think anyone will get confused between this and a Mercedes dealership."
Julio, who moved to the UK from Spain explained her creation features a three-point red star - which was taken from an emblem used by International Brigades in the 1936 Spanish Civil War.
"The actual design of the logo is from my uncle in Spain, he's a graphic designer and he decided to help me out," Julio said.
"I'm from Spain and it's something that links Britain and Spain as a lot of people went here to fight in Spain.
"It's trying to link them, it's just that link between my home country and my adopted country.
"A lot of people died in Spain, Sunderland sent quite a few people to fight too."
And, Julio, is determined he will not back down against Mercedes-Benz.
"I drive a Peugeot. If Mercedes offered me a free car every five years I'd be quite happy with that," he jibed.
"I think I'll continue using it at the moment, they've only opposed the registration. It'll be well protected, we'll have to see what's happening.
"It's not unheard of, it's just stupid really."
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A spokesperson for Mercedes-Benz said: "Mr Romero Johnson withdrew his trade mark application before we had the opportunity to respond to him and at no stage did we threaten him with costs.
"As far as we are concerned the matter is now closed."
