Lodge admits selling unlicensed products

Scotland’s best known veterans charity has demanded the Orange Order stop selling unlicensed merchandise in its name.

Scotland’s Grand Lodge, responsible for lodges across the country, is selling £10 cufflinks for Poppy Scotland despite Poppy Scotland's selling a similar product for £16.

The charity has now told the Grand Lodge to desist as it is infringing copyright.

A spokesman for Poppy Scotland said: “It does appear that this is an unlicensed product and not one that has been sanctioned for sale by either Poppy Scotland or the Royal British Legion, whose trademark it infringes.

“Poppy Scotland and the Royal British Legion licence a small number of businesses to manufacture and sell official poppy merchandise, in order to maximise the return to charities.

"This has clearly been a well-intentioned gesture of support by the Grand Orange Lodge of Scotland, but any remaining stock has been removed from sale.

“Furthermore, the organisation has requested guidance and input from us as to how they can acquire and sell licensed Poppy Scotland products in future.”

Chief executive officer for the Grand Orange Lodge in Scotland Robert McLean admitted the cufflinks were unlicensed.

He added: “We as an organisation donate thousands of pounds to veterans charities, be it Erkine or Poppy Scotland.

“We took some cufflinks from a supplier with the intention that the profits go to Poppy Scotland. There wasn’t a lot – around £50 worth – and the rest will not be sold.

“We are in discussion with Poppy Scotland – the charity will send us official merch and we will sell it with proceeds going back to them.”