We Should Probably Nix Our In-N-Out Mobile, No?

The news that Mangia Italiano has sued Mangia Mobile over its name seems to have struck a nerve with readers on both sides of the issue. As a few commenters have pointed out, this isn't the first time a situation like this has arisen in St. Louis this year: Just last week, Taste Wood Fired Fare in Brentwood changed its name to TwinOak Wood Fired Fare to avoid confusion with Taste in the Central West End.

Gut Check will leave it to the lawyers and the courts to figure out Mangia vs. Mangia. However, we thought we'd pass along this story of an Idaho restaurant accused of plagiarizing everything but the name of another restaurant.

As the Idaho Statesman (via Grub Street) reports, In-N-Out Burger, the California-based burger chain whose arrival in a new location can bring its fans to tears, alleges that the new Boise restaurant Burger Express has stolen its appearance, its menu and even, to quote the letter it sent its alleged imitator, "In-N-Out's food presentation -- the burger partially wrapped with the side visible -- to the customer."

In-N-Out gave Squillace until Aug. 5 to make changes.

Squillace, whose wife had died three days earlier, was befuddled and angry.

"This goliath company just wants to pop our bubble and take all our dreams and smash 'em," Squillace said.

Trademark infringement? Or coincidence?

Here is the In-N-Out Burger website, and here is the Burger Express website. What do you think?