A Croydon housewife is embroiled in a copyright battle with directory enquiries giants 118 118.

Mary Lau, who lives in Fairfield, registered the trademark 118 eat in 2004, after deciding to launch an online food and drinks listing and directory enquiries service while on maternity leave.

The mother-of-one had planned to launch the service alongside the directory enquiries number 118 328, that spells 118 eat on a keypad, but when she went to launch her product in 2006, she discovered her telephone agent had relinquished the number and it had since been acquired by 118 118.

To avoid losing her trademark for non-use, Ms Lau decided she would launch her business with an app instead of the directory enquiry telephone service, but when she reapplied to register the trademark in 2011, it was opposed by Conduit Enterprises, owned by the Number UK, who own 118 118.

The company claimed the trademark is too similar to their own and customers will think the companies are connected, which could be detrimental to their business.

Ms Lau said: “118 eat is a trademark I already own and am currently using.

“I feel bullied. When they took the 118 328 number, I thought it was a sharp, tactical move in order to stop me progressing with my business.

“But I have since discovered from legal papers they want the trademark so they can use it the way I intended to use it back in 2006.

“I feel like David in a fight with Goliath, but I am just a housewife who had a business idea.”

On Monday, Ms Lau’s case was heard at the Legal Services Commission and a hearing officer will now decide whether her trademark registration will be successful.

If unsuccessful, Ms Lau can appeal the decision at the appeals court and then at the High Court.

She said: “The nightmare for me is to go to the High Court – the costs are unlimited – but, as a big business, they have nothing to fear.”

A spokesman for 118 118 said: “Ms Lau is trading in a very similar area of business as us. We offer food and drink directory services using a 118 prefix.”