READERS have had their say after a judge rejected a Barrow Chinese takeaway’s plea that they did not know their name infringed the trademark of a high-end London restaurant.

China Tang in Dalton Road was ordered to change its name in February after becoming embroiled in a legal dispute with a restaurant at The Dorchester.

Solicitors acting on behalf of China Tang at The Dorchester contacted its namesake in Barrow, claiming the takeaway business infringed their registered trademark.

The London restaurant, based on the famous Park Lane, describes itself as home to some of the finest authentic Cantonese food outside China.

The London restaurant's claim for trademark infringement and passing off partially prevailed in February in a decision by Judge Hacon in the UK Intellectual Property Enterprise Court.

Barrow’s China Tang – which is now known as China Town - denied the claim on the basis that there was no evidence of any consumer having confused the two businesses over 12 years of simultaneous trading.

However, the IPEC found that infringement had nonetheless occurred – the mark and the sign were identical (save for the figurative element of the mark), and the respective services were closely similar, which denoted a clear likelihood of confusion.

READ MORE: Judge rejected Barrow Chinese takeaway's ignorance around trademark infringement

Lynda Bowes said: “I love our China Tang best in the town.”

Barrow Lad said: “How ridiculous.”

Dalton said: “Absolute stupidity. A far cry from the Dorchester. No name should be protected. I doubt if any clients knew or cared.”

Caroline Parkinson Milton said: “Best Chinese in Barrow wouldn't go anywhere else.”

Lucy Pearson said: “Lol because SO many people must’ve confused the two places, what with one being a restaurant at the Dorchester in London and one being a Chinese takeaway in Barrow.”

A spokesman for China Town confirmed they officially changed their name two months ago.