Fallen Arches: Mcdonald’s Loses Court Case

Golden Arches might go up in South Africa, but they may not belong to McDonald’s.

The fast-food giant lost an important court case Friday to use its world-famous name on hamburger restaurants it plans to open in South Africa.

The Pretoria Supreme Court upheld a lawsuit by a South African businessman who wants to use the McDonald’s name on his own restaurant chain.

The trademark ruling could jeopardize foreign investment in South Africa, which has been boosted by the end of anti-apartheid sanctions following historic all-race elections last year.

McDonald’s said it was “disappointed” and was considering whether to appeal or re-register the McDonald’s name with the South African trademarks office.

“We are confident that the rightful ownership of our world-famous trademarks in South Africa will ultimately be confirmed,” the company said in a statement.

McDonald’s said the ruling would not stop it from selling hamburgers in South Africa.