Patan High Court Orders Halt to Yashoda Foods' Imitation of waiwai Noodles

Kathmandu: In a landmark decision, the Patan High Court has issued a stern order against Yashoda Foods for flagrantly copying the trademark of the renowned waiwai Noodles, a move that has sparked widespread criticism and legal action. The court has mandated an immediate cessation of the production and distribution of Yashoda Foods' "Current" noodles, which shamelessly imitated waiwai Noodles' distinctive trademark, causing confusion among consumers.

 

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The Joint Bench of the High Court of Patan delivered an interim order on January 11, compelling Yashoda Foods to cease its imitation tactics that involved using a ¥yapper closely resembling waiwai's logo. The court's decision follows a plea from CG Foods, the company behind waiwai Noodles, which cited trademark infringement and deceptive practices.

 

Social media users have been quick to condemn Yashoda Foods for not only copying waiwai Noodles but also for marketing Gudkha under the name "Currant," utilizing the shell and brand of waiwai. Criticisms on social media ranged from concerns about the quality of Yashoda Foods' products to allegations of mental health impacts caused by their Gudkha variant.

 

Durga Pandey, a media worker from Argkhachinka, took to Facebook to suggest that Yashoda Foods may be involved in hoarding black money or evading taxes related to Gudkha. The public outcry on social media has further fueled the controversy surrounding Yashoda Foods' business practices.

 

The court's order explicitly prohibits Yashoda Foods from continuing the registration process of the imitated trademark (application no. 098222) and mandates the return of all Current noodles sent to the market in violation of waiwai's intellectual property rights. Any attempt by Yashoda Foods to sell these imitation noodles would be considered a contemptuous act against the court.

 

Waiwai Noodles, produced by Chaudhary Group and known for maintaining international quality standards, has been a staple in Nepalese households for over four decades. The court emphasized that Yashoda Foods' attempt to exploit wai wai's hard-earned reputation and consumer trust is a direct infringement on the rights of consumers. The decision reinforces the importance of protecting intellectual property and maintaining the integrity of trusted brands in the market.