MONTREAL, June 3 (UPI) -- The Canadian high court has rejected Mattel Inc.'s complaint against a Montreal-area restaurant chain for using "Barbie" in its name and design.
The Supreme Court of Canada upheld a lower court decision that George Tsapekis's three-Barbie chain doesn't infringe on Mattel's toy trademark or confuse consumers, the Canadian Broadcasting Corp. reports.
The Canadian Intellectual Property Office supported the 14-year-old restaurant chain in a 2002 decision, which led to the court battle.
Tsapekis said he used the name Barbie as a combination of what his restaurant offers -- a bar and barbecued food.
He said: "I don't think it has anything to do with the doll. Because we sell club sandwiches, smoked meat, pizza, and we don't sell any clothes or toys."
Tsapekis has forked over $250,000 in court costs but the publicity has been worth it, he said.
