Shetland Fudge Company 1, Asda 0 – confectioner wins right to Puffin Poo name

The small isles firm that makes Puffin Poo chocolate nuggets has seen off supermarket giant Asda in a battle over who has the right to use the name.

When Shetland Fudge Company owner Gillian Ramsay tried to register the name as a trademark in 2006 the multinational tried to block the move on the grounds that it sells a brand of chocolate biscuit bar named Puffin.

But after a lengthy legal battle Mrs Ramsay, who represented herself against lawyers hired by Asda, has been told that she has succeeded in having the intellectual property rights to the name granted to her.

Mrs Ramsay told BBC Radio Shetland: “It’s been such a long battle and at times I nearly gave up. I can’t believe it’s actually gone through after all these years.

“I didn’t understand how patent law worked and it’s been a very steep learning curve, but I figured I had nothing to lose and it was worth a shot. I just kept on fighting and it’s a fantastic result.”

For full story, see this week’s Shetland Times.