Paddy Power claims victory in poster row with LOCOG after Olympics organiser 'backs down'
Paddy Power has this afternoon claimed victory in its advertising row with Olympics organisers LOCOG.
Earlier today the bookmaker said it would take LOCOG to court after it was ordered to remove its cheeky advertising campaign promoting its sponsorship of an athletics contest in the French town of London.
Paddy Power said it had received a notice from LOCOG's law firm, Freshfields, indicating that the London 2012 organisers had "reversed their position" and the ads will be allowed to stay up on poster sites around the capital.
After being ordered to take the posters down on the grounds of ambush marketing, Paddy Power instructed its own law firm, Charles Russell, to enter the High Court in London today with its own court order against LOCOG.
Paddy Power insists its advertising, though clearly intended to poke fun at LOCOG, does not breach legilsation on banned terms around the 2012 Games.
The row has proved a huge PR coup for the Irish company, which trended on Twitter as thousands of the site's users vented their anger at LOCOG's tough stance on advertising around the Olympics.
A spokesperson from Paddy Power said “This is a victory for common sense and for each and every one of our customers and fans who supported us along the way. The athletes of London, France will be breathing a collective sigh of relief this afternoon. May the Games begin!”
In a statement Paddy Power said it would be seeking to recoup its legal costs from LOCOG and if successful, would donate the money to grassroots sports initiatives.