Ballynahinch man admits selling southern Tayto in Northern Ireland

Ballynahinch man admits selling southern Tayto in Northern Ireland

25 September 2019

A BALLYNAHINCH man has admitted breaching the trademark of crisp manufacturing giant Tayto.

At Belfast High Court last week, Mark Ferris admitted selling the same name brand crisps from the Republic in Northern Ireland and may be liable for damages.

The sole trader claims he only made around £500 profit from the sale of Tayto crisps manufactured in the Republic to shops and pubs north of the border, a judge was told.

A lawyer for 48 year-old Ferris argued that the Northern Ireland company was “using a very large sledgehammer to crack a very small nut” in seeking a further hearing to examine any potential financial compensation.

But counsel for the Tandragee-based firm insisted it was about protecting its trademark.

According to Peter Hopkins action was only taken against Mr Ferris after he was sent four letters warning him to stop selling the southern brand.

“One misconception is the impression given, to put it colloquially, that he was some innocent abroad,” the barrister said. “It was a breach of the law, and two separate companies trading north and south.”

Tayto Northern Ireland issued trademark infringement proceedings against Mr Ferris, trading as Candy Plus, with the case relating to his alleged sale of Tayto crisps from the Republic at locations in Belfast and elsewhere.

Mr Justice Huddleston was told Mr Ferris has operated a business from his home over the past three years, selling confectionery, snacks and drinks.

His barrister, Kevin Morgan, confirmed that the breach was admitted, but stressed that no counterfeit goods were involved.

“The southern Tayto were legally purchased by him in the Republic of Ireland,” counsel maintained.

Questioning why action was taken against his client, Mr Morgan argued that the same crisps are being sold throughout Northern Ireland.

He described Mr Ferris’ business as “minuscule” when compared to Tayto Northern Ireland “In the last year he estimates that he earned £21,000 in profits. By comparison, the plaintiff has been estimated in the recent past to have a turnover of £185m and is the third largest snack manufacturer in the UK,” the lawyer said.

Mr Morgan claimed that a public judgment against the defendant would be more valuable to the crisps company than a prolonged investigation into what profits Candy Plus made from selling Irish Tayto.

He also disclosed that his client was willing to make a £600 payment as part of any settlement.

However, the court heard it was being wrongly portrayed as a “David and Goliath” case.

Mr Hopkins challenged the lack of evidence to back assertions Mr Ferris only made £500 profit from the trademark infringement.

Entering judgment for Tayto Northern Ireland, Mr Justice Huddleston said: “I fully accept this case is not at the higher end of the scale of either culpability or breach, but nonetheless it’s a breach and for that consequences do follow.”

Awarding costs to the company and remitting the case to a High Court master for further financial examinations, Mr Justice Huddleston added: “Until there’s an assessment of damages or an account of profits we are at a loss.”