Airbnb has threatened legal action against a Scots firm named Hairbnb, which offers holiday homes for dogs.
Allan Ritchie set up the dog boarding business last year and applied for a trademark from the UK Intellectual Property Office (IPO).
However, ex-RAF police dog handler Allan has now been sent a “cease and desist” letter from Airbnb, which has given him until the end of the month to change the trademark.
Hairbnb was given a UK trademark in May last year.
When Allan applied, intellectual property and legal offices across the country and beyond were told of his activities. They were given two months to object, starting from February last year. Airbnb didn’t take any action and Allan set up a website.
Hairbnb connects licensed dog sitters, boarders and walkers with people who need their pets looked after.
One of Hairbnb’s licensed sitters, Graeme Murdoch, from Peebles, said: “For a giant multi-national corporation to threaten a small Scottish business like this makes me very angry.”
An Airbnb spokesman said: “We want to work in partnership with companies to address these matters and hope to collaborate to resolve concerns amicably.”
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