DALI ordered to remove three products after trademark complaint
Hard discount store DALI Everyday Grocer has pulled out three products off its shelves following the filing of a complaint for trademark infringement by the Campos family’s Nutri-Asia Inc. before the Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines (IPOPHL).
According to a report posted on the website of Nutri-Asia’s legal counsel Cruz, Marcelo & Tenefrancia (CMT), IPOPHL has ordered the operators of DALI Everyday Grocer to pull out three products after it determined that these were “confusingly similar” to established brands produced and popularized by Nutri-Asia.
CMT said the IPOHL had issued an injunction against DALI based on the complaint it lodged on behalf of Nutri-Asia regarding trademark infringement, unfair competition, and copyright infringement of its three popular products: UFC Banana Ketchup, Datu Puti Vinegar, and Datu Puti Soy Sauce.
DALI is selling KULINA banana ketchup, Raja Puro vinegar, and soy sauce, which are packaged similarly to Nutri-Asia’s UFC and Datu Puti products.
“During the injunction hearings, our legal team has successfully established Nutri-Asia’s IP rights over two of the Philippines’ most popular household brands against DALI. The injunction preserves Datu Puti and UFC’s well-established goodwill and reputation,” the law firm said.
By virtue of the injunction, CMT said DALI has pulled out the products complained of from its stores.
In behalf of Nutri-Asia, CMT filed the complaint before the IPOPHL’s Bureau of Legal Affairs issued an injunction to stop DALI from manufacturing and selling Raja Puro vinegar, soy sauce, as well as their KULINA banana catsup, and sweet chili sauce brands for being confusingly similar to Datu Puti and UFC products manufactured and popularized by Nutri-Asia.
“Nutri-Asia is taking its IP rights seriously and will prosecute violators of said rights,” CMT said.