RWC bosses issue yellow card warning

Winesale.co.nz owner Michael Mebus - Source: ONE News

Rugby World Cup organisers are being labelled spoil sports after warning a small wine retailer against using the tournament in a promotion, but they say they are just looking after their sponsors.

The small wine and beer sellers at winesale.co.nz operate through the internet, meaning customers don't need to leave their chair.

However one recent promotion has got them in trouble with rugby bosses.

"I got an email saying our hand had been slapped, of course I had to read it, it was interesting reading, all the things you cannot do," said Michael Mebus of winesale.co.nz.

A brief mention of the World Cup upset rugby chiefs and the protection manager fired off the email demanding all references to the tournament stop immediately or else enforcement action may be taken.

"All we've done is point out that the fact that it may contravene both legislation and trademarks we've got in place, so I don't think it's heavy handed," said Rugby World Cup's Ross Young.

The phrase 'Rugby World Cup' and World Cup 2011' are as closely protected as the Web Ellis trophy itself - another phrase deemed offside for the use of advertisers.

Sports bars also have to watch their step as they aren't allowed to advertise using the World Cup and can only say what game is being played.

"That's going too far, it's our national sport, rugby. We're all part of it, we're all paying our taxes for it," said Mebus.

Mebus and his small team will now be following the rule book closely but believe the World Cup is for everyone to enjoy.