Beware of “copycat” Korean foods made in Japan & China

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zNcOWAC0G2.jpg"><figcaption></figcaption></figure><p id="fc8b">While the packaging appears to be a calculated move to boost sales by emulating the well-known Korean product, similar instances have cropped up in China, where courts have even acknowledged local products infringing on Korean companies’ intellectual property (IP).</p><p id="3f52">In March, the Korea Food Industry Association reported that a Chinese court ordered 2 food manufacturers to pay damages between 18 million won ($13,772) and 37 million won to these Korean firms — CJ Cheiljedang, Samyang, Daesang, and Ottogi.</p><p id="cde7">The companies’ flagship products, including instant noodles, anchovy sauce, starch noodles, and beef stock, were found to have been copied in terms of trademarks and designs.</p><p id="4159">This legal ruling marks the 1st in a series of battles waged by Korean food giants, who filed 7 lawsuits in 2021 against Chinese food manufacturers.</p><p id="8e04">These IP infringement cases highlight the growing global appetite for Korean food products, particularly instant noodles.</p><p id="

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6616">Data from the Korea Customs Service reveals that exports of Korean instant noodles reached a record-breaking $862 million in 2022, a 12% increase from 2021.</p><p id="8c39">So next time you’re browsing the aisles for a tasty Korean treat, make sure you’re grabbing the real deal and not a “copycat” product.</p><p id="daa4">Read more Korea-related stories here 👇👇👇</p><div id="62a6" class="link-block"> <a href="https://medium.com/@celesteelle/list/79e6b1e6557e"> <div> <div> <h2>All Things Korea & Korean 🇰🇷</h2> <div><h3>Edit description</h3></div> <div><p>medium.com</p></div> </div> <div> <div style="background-image: url(https://miro.readmedium.com/v2/resize:fit:320/0*78fed04f0e03b88d4f0fddb0d406a119c56e376e.jpeg)"></div> </div> </div> </a> </div><p id="5479" type="7">If you’re seeing this as a video, find my full post here:</p><p id="58e3" type="7">medium.com/@celesteelle</p></article></body>

Beware of “copycat” Korean foods made in Japan & China

Image Credits: Korea Food Industry Association

Heads up, foodies.

A wave of “copycat” Korean foods is making its way into the market, thanks to the skyrocketing global popularity of Korean culture and cuisine.

Food manufacturers in Japan and China are increasingly producing products that resemble or outright imitate beloved Korean favorites.

Take, for example, Japanese food manufacturer Nissin’s release of a new version of UFO Noodles earlier this year.

These cup noodles feature the Korean term “bokkeum myeon” (stir-fried noodles) on their packaging and sport a strikingly similar pink color to Buldak Carbo, a product by Korean food maker Samyang introduced in 2018.

While the packaging appears to be a calculated move to boost sales by emulating the well-known Korean product, similar instances have cropped up in China, where courts have even acknowledged local products infringing on Korean companies’ intellectual property (IP).

In March, the Korea Food Industry Association reported that a Chinese court ordered 2 food manufacturers to pay damages between 18 million won ($13,772) and 37 million won to these Korean firms — CJ Cheiljedang, Samyang, Daesang, and Ottogi.

The companies’ flagship products, including instant noodles, anchovy sauce, starch noodles, and beef stock, were found to have been copied in terms of trademarks and designs.

This legal ruling marks the 1st in a series of battles waged by Korean food giants, who filed 7 lawsuits in 2021 against Chinese food manufacturers.

These IP infringement cases highlight the growing global appetite for Korean food products, particularly instant noodles.

Data from the Korea Customs Service reveals that exports of Korean instant noodles reached a record-breaking $862 million in 2022, a 12% increase from 2021.

So next time you’re browsing the aisles for a tasty Korean treat, make sure you’re grabbing the real deal and not a “copycat” product.

Read more Korea-related stories here 👇👇👇

If you’re seeing this as a video, find my full post here:

medium.com/@celesteelle