INM threatens to sue Irish Mail on Sunday over spoof cover

Independent News & Media is threatening to sue Associated Newspapers after it ran an edition of the Irish Mail on Sunday with a wraparound masquerading as one of INM's titles. Executives at INM are furious with the Mail on Sunday promotional stunt , which tried to cash in on the fact the Sunday Tribune was not published last Sunday after receivers were called in . The newspaper group, which was the main shareholder in the Tribune, is also calling for the Mail on Sunday to be removed from Ireland's press trade body, the National Newspapers of Ireland, when it meets next Tuesday. A spokesman for INM said the Associated title had "deliberately and blatantly passed itself of as the Sunday Tribune newspaper", adding that the company was consulting its lawyers about possible action. "We will communicate formally with Associated Newspapers' office in London in due course," he added. The Mail on Sunday has defended its stunt, saying it was designed to encourage newspaper readers to continue to buy Irish titles. Associated insiders claim INM is sabre-rattling and believe it would not have succeed in any legal action because the Mail on Sunday did not use the Sunday Tribune masthead but a version of it and the wraparound featured the paper's own regular font, Gotham Condensed. They also say that 103 of the 104 pages in the paper last weekend featured Mail on Sunday branding. INM believes the Mail on Sunday's stunt will have hampered the receiver's attempts to fund fresh funding and sources say if it launches legal action it will be seeking compensation for the financial damage caused. "The receiver is absolutely furious. He seems to be taking the view that this has adversely affected his chances of attracting investment," said a source. INM have also asked Frank Cullen, the director of the NNI, to include the expulsion of the Mail on Sunday from the trade body on the agenda for Tuesday's meeting. It believes it will be successful in its move even if other British newspaper groups with Irish editions, including the Sunday Times and the Daily Mirror, back Associated. Each title has one vote on the body. • To contact the MediaGuardian news desk email [email protected] or phone 020 3353 3857. For all other inquiries please call the main Guardian switchboard on 020 3353 2000. • If you are writing a comment for publication, please mark clearly "for publication".