Conor McGregor faces legal action over his Notorious Irish Whiskey in drinks industry row

CONOR McGregor’s plans to launch a whiskey empire are on the ropes after he was hit by a trademark row.

The UFC sensation is facing another legal setback to plans to cash in on his name by launching his own brand of booze.

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Irish superstar Conor, 29, announced he was “taking over” the Irish whiskey market after his megafight against Floyd Mayweather last month.

The dad-of-one took to the stage clutching a bottle of Notorious branded whiskey and bragged: “Boy, that whiskey tastes so good.

“Oh s***. Notorious Irish Whiskey, coming soon.”

But his proposal could be set to be KO’d following a legal challenge from a well known figure in the Irish drinks industry.

Seamus O’Hara, founder of Carlow Brewing Company, has hired a Madrid law firm to block McGregor from registering the Notorious trademark across Europe.

The MMA hero filed an application with the European Union Intellectual Property Office (Euipo) in Spain to register “Notorious” as a trademark for alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks last month.

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But lawyers for O’Hara have since written to his company, McGregor Sports and Entertainment, to say O’Hara has intervened and is opposing the plans.

O’Hara already personally owns a European trademark for Notorious in two drinks categories.

He registered it with Euipo in May, 2016. It is the only European trademark owned by O’Hara.

Carlow Brewing Company last year launched a pale ale called Notorious Red IPA, which they argue could lead to confusion.

If O’Hara is successful it could cause a major problem for Conor’s whiskey plans, and could even lead to him having to change the name of his product.

A spokesman for Carlow Brewing Company confirmed the legal challenge but declined to comment further when contacted by the Irish Sun.

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McGregor is represented by Dublin trademark attorneys, FR Kelly.

He is keen to expand his brand outside of mixed martial arts, with the UFC lightweight champion scheduled to launch a clothing line next year.

McGregor has partnered with David August Heil to create the August McGregor clothing line that will officially launch in January 2018.

He recently explained: “Fashion is something that I am truly passionate about, and I am excited to share exactly that with my fans by giving them a chance to share my iconic looks.

“We casually chatted about doing a line together, but we finally got serious over the past several months.

“I know the public will love what lies ahead.”

Reuters

Reuters