McDonald's has lodged a comprehensive 41-page objection to the EU Office for Harmonisation in the Internal Market against Supermac's application to register the 'Supermac's' trademark across Europe.

Supermac's has told Newstalk that it "is currently looking at opportunities to open in the UK."

The Irish company is already facing a trademark challenge from the fast food giant in Australia.

The US-firm is arguing that the use of the name could create confusion - and that it would "take unfair advantage of the distinctive character and repute of" McDonald's’ trademarks.

Part of the objection is based on McDonald's existing trademarks like 'Big Mac.'

McDonald's argues that the likelihood of the name causing confusion is "even more likely since the goods and services of the respective parties are identical or at least highly similar."

Supermac's have released a statement titled: "Supermac’s…it’s not McDonald’s."

The company says that the chains have, "two very distinctive brands with immediately identifiable menus and a clear difference in ingredients and taste," and that "there has never been any confusion for our customers."

The Galway-based company's managing director, Pat McDonagh has described McDonald’s objection as 'spurious' - citing the fact that both brands have co-existed in Ireland since the 1970's.

He adds: "The Supermac’s name was a most obvious choice for our first restaurant when it was given to me as a nickname during a gaelic football match I played with my secondary school Carmelite College." 

Supermac's is preparing a formal response to McDonald's objections.

McDonald's has a track record of successes in similar cases - MacJoy in the Philippines, McCoffee in the US and McMunchies in Scotland were all forced to change their names under legal pressure from the US company.