Megan Evetts

An Australian burger chain launched as a tribute to the popular American burger franchise In-N-Out has lost a trade mark infringement lawsuit, with a judge finding its name choice was “deceptively similar” and “cheeky”.

Sydney’s Down N’ Out Burgers has rejected claims that it appropriated the trade mark of US burger chain In-N-Out, telling a court at the close of trial that the founders were inspired by the success of the American company but wanted to evoke the idea of Sin City, not speedy service.