ex Wall St Journal:
McDonald's Corp. filed a trademark using its name for ground and whole-bean coffee, signaling that the fast-food giant might follow in the footsteps of Dunkin' Donuts by selling bagged coffee [in supermarkets] under its own famous brand.
The trademark registration, filed last month with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, means McDonald's could be eyeing a spot next to Dunkin' on grocery-store shelves. However, the trademark could also be designed merely to prevent a competitor from using it for coffee.
Dunkin' Donuts, owned by Dunkin' Brands Inc., has reported strong sales of its bagged coffees.
