The EU is being asked to provide guidelines in trademark law, in light of the Supermac's dispute with McDonald's.

McDonalds has lodged objections to Supermac's trademark being registered throughout Europe.

Supermac's wants to expand its outlets in the UK, other parts of the EU and Australia.

Fine Gael MEP Sean Kelly has said EU rules on trademarks must be clear so that smaller companies can avoid expensive court cases.

“Particularly the trademarks have to be guaranteed if a larger company challenges the mark of another company that is something that I think we need to have clearer guidelines on.," Mr Kelly said.

“So that a company, like Supermacs, won’t have to go down the route of probably very very expensive court cases, which are only a drop in the ocean to a big company like McDonald’s.”