Entertainment king wins ‘jolli’ battle
MANILA: The Philippines’ biggest fastfood chain has lost a long trademark battle against the country’s “King of Night Entertainment” to own the “jolli” brand, according to government documents.
In a statement, Jollibee Foods Corp said the fast-food company “continues to have exclusive rights to all Jollibee name, trademarks and products.”
Famous for fried chicken, hamburgers and spaghetti, Jollibee opposed in 2013 the trademark registration of real estate company Jolliville Holdings Corp, saying that it was “confusingly similar” with the fast-food chain’s name.
But the Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines ruled in favour of Jolliville, which said the company’s name was a tribute to its founder Jolly Ting.
“While (Jollibee) was making it big in the food service business so was Mr Jolly Ting in the night entertainment business,” the Philippines’ patent office said in the decision released this week.
“As the owner of a string of night entertainment establishments such as Pegasus, Discovery, Mega Heartbeat, Lexus, he earned the moniker ‘King of Night Entertainment’.”
The government agency said there was no reason to prohibit the registration of Jolliville, which later diversified its business into property management and development.
Jollibee had accused Jolliville of unfair competition but the government said there was no evidence the property firm passed off its goods and services to be part of those of the fast-food giant.
“Jollibee and the ‘bee’ mascot device... is great for kids’ entertainment,” the ruling said.