Morton’s steakhouse chain threatens pub with trademark suitMorton’s steakhouse chain threatens pub with trademark suit

MUNCIE Ind. Ty and Stacey Morton, owners of the new 40-seat Morton’s Pub and Grub, are flouting a legal threat from the Morton’s of Chicago steakhouse chain over the name of their Irish pub.

Aletter from Morton’s of Chicago’s attorneys claimed that the pub owners are infringing on Morton’s patent registration and could confuse the public into thinking their Muncie, Ind., pub is related to the 75-unit steakhouse chain. The letter threatened a lawsuit if the name of the pub is not changed.

The pub owners have said they do not plan to change the name, saying that they named the business after themselves and that it’s doubtful anyone would confuse the two restaurants. The closest Morton’s steakhouse is in Indianapolis, some 75 miles away.

“I don’t see us as any threat to Morton’s,” Ty Morton said. “I understand they need to protect their brand, but if they did more than a Google search, they would find out we aren’t diluting their brand at all. It’s ludicrous. I’m not going to be bullied.”

Morton said he expects Morton’s of Chicago to back off, especially after the amount of media coverage the issue has received.

Spokesmen for Morton’s of Chicago could not be reached for comment.