Momofuku, led by Michelin chef David Chang, has been accused of 'trademark bullying' over its efforts to trademark the term 'chili crunch,' a spicy-oily-crispy condiment, by sending dozens of cease and desist letters to small business owners and mom-and-pop manufacturers with ancestral connections to the condiment. The controversy has sparked anger among rivals and critics, including actor Simu Liu, who argue that Momofuku's actions are akin to trying to claim common condiments like 'ketchup' or 'mayo.' Momofuku defended its actions by stating the need to protect the term from being used by large food corporations, emphasizing its desire to own a unique name for its product. Prof. Jennifer Jenkins from Duke Law has also commented on the trademark fight, highlighting the broader implications of trademarking common culinary terms and the impact on smaller, independent brands.
.@DukeCSPD’s Prof. Jennifer Jenkins talks to the @WashingtonPost about the trademark fight over Momofuku’s “chili crunch” condiment 🔗 https://t.co/FMtLHr4RO1 https://t.co/bEmK38ZBjx
Momofuku responds to chili crunch backlash: 'We wanted a name we could own' https://t.co/gyflqWWHOo https://t.co/Fkof0WPhcB
Momofuku’s statement on the chili crunch saga: they’re worried about big food corporations using the term “chili crunch”, and therefore need to enforce their rights to the term even against smaller indy brands https://t.co/TPBjpeSK6Q
Momofuku and celebrity chef David Chang were accused of bullying mom-and-pop manufacturers with ancestral connections to a spicy-oily-crispy condiment, known as chili crisp, by sending cease-and-desist letters to companies using the term “chile crunch.” https://t.co/AO4eb6XO5K
"Like trying to claim 'ketchup' or 'mayo'": #SimuLiu weighs in on Momofuku chili crunch trademark bullying https://t.co/cMLPCi5z7A
David Chang’s Momofuku bullies small biz chili crunch competitors: ‘It felt like a punch’ https://t.co/PUqukevWqo https://t.co/cVs4SDqjNL
David Chang, Michelin chef behind Momofuku, is accused of 'trademark bullying' and trying to dominate condiment market by sending dozens of cease and desist letters to restaurants copying his 'chili crunch' https://t.co/A0RaRwHZEf https://t.co/46g3e7enWt
Rivals’ red-hot anger over Momofoku’s bid to trademark chilli crunch https://t.co/bsnYBuzv0F
‘Trademark bully’: Momofuku turns up heat on others selling ‘chili crunch’ | Food | The Guardian lao ganma should sue him https://t.co/SMRbp6SeNN