Takis Biltong wins case

LEGAL BATTLE: COLD COMFORT AS SNEAKY SNACK FOOD WON'T GO AWAY

- Ciaran Ryan

SA business spends millions defending its trademark.

Takis Biltong, one of South Africa's most revered brands, fought a nine-year battle all the way to the Supreme Court of Appeal to protect its trademark against infringement by Mexican-registered company Grupo Bimbo, which was found to be selling tortilla chips in SA under the name Takis Fuego.

That case was decided in favour of Takis Biltong in December 2023, the name and the logo design being deemed so similar as to cause confusion in the minds of consumers.

The High Court in Pretoria overturned an earlier ruling by the same court and ordered that the registration of the trademark Takis Fuego be cancelled.

Despite the court ruling in favour of Takis Biltong, Takis Fuego-branded products are still freely available across SA - in violation of the court order.

Exasperation

Taki Aristides, co-owner of the Takis Group, said this effectively nullifies the decision of the court.