Foodsphere warns vs use of Holiday brand

MANILA, Philippines — Foodsphere Inc., the company behind the CDO line of processed food products, is warning other companies against using the ‘Holiday’ trademark, emphasizing its ownership.

In a notice to the public, Foodsphere said it is the registered owner of the trademark ‘Holiday’ and has been using it in its food products, particularly on Christmas hams, since the 1970s.

“Usage of the said trademark amounts to infringement of the company’s intellectual property rights, as well as unfair competition, as defined under Sections 147 and 1688, respectively of Republic Act 8293 or the Intellectual Property Code of the Philippines,” the company said in a statement.

“In this connection, demand is made upon all food manufacturers, distributors, retailers, restaurants and other establishments to immediately cease and desist from using ‘Holiday Ham’,” it added.

According to the Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines (IPOPHL), a trademark is a word, a group of words, sign, symbol, logo or a combination thereof that identifies and differentiates the source of the goods or services of one entity from those of others.

“If you’re a business, distinguishing your goods or services from others gives you a competitive edge,” IPOPHL said.

Foodsphere corporate affairs and communications head Patricia Magbanua emphasized the company’s dedication to consumer protection.

“It is our utmost priority to ensure that our loyal customers receive the brand and quality they expect when purchasing our products. We’ve built trust around the ‘Holiday’ brand for decades, and we are committed to safeguarding it not just for our company, but for the consumers who have trusted us throughout the years,” Magbanua said.

“When a consumer picks up a product labeled ‘Holiday’, they should be confident in the consistency, quality, and reputation that comes with the CDO Foodsphere name. We are taking this matter seriously to protect not only our intellectual property but also the integrity of our offerings to our valued consumers.”

Foodsphere said it would be compelled to take appropriate civil, criminal, and administrative actions in court against violators of its IP rights and hold them liable for damages and attorney’s fees.

Based on its website, the company offers a number of Christmas ham variants under its Holiday ham brand, including whole ham, pre-sliced ham, Hawaiian ham, jamon de bola, among others.