MELBOURNE (REUTERS) - Global fast food giant McDonald's has filed a trademark infringement notice in Australia after the local unit of Burger King created a similar product called the "Big Jack", according to a local newspaper report on Thursday (Sept 3).

Burger King's Australian franchise Hungry Jack's released a double layer hamburger in July, similar in construction and appearance to the Big Mac, McDonald's alleged in documents filed with the Federal Court on Aug 28, the Sydney Morning Herald newspaper reported.

Hungry Jack's "deliberately adopted or imitated" the "distinctive appearance or build" of the Big Mac, along with its ingredients and tagline, "two all-beef patties, special sauce, lettuce, cheese, pickles, onions - on a sesame seed bun", McDonald's alleged, according to the report.

Hungry Jack's markets the burger online as comprising "two flame-grilled 100% Aussie beef patties, topped with melted cheese, special sauce, fresh lettuce, pickles and onions on a toasted sesame seed bun".

The apparent similarities were picked up by plenty of social media users, including one Twitter user named Gino, who tweeted "Big Jack = Big Mac! Naughty naughty!".

A McDonald's Australia spokesman said it would not be appropriate to comment given that the matter is before the court.

Hungry Jack's said in a statement that it " has not been served any formal documents from the court and, thus, is unable to provide any comment at this stage".

McDonald's is also seeking damages, interest and costs, as well as an order that Hungry Jack's destroy all promotional materials which include physical and electronic advertising, the paper reported.

When Burger King sought to expand into Australia in the early 1970s, it found its name was already trademarked and so its first franchise owner, Mr Jack Cowin, chose the name Hungry Jack's.