By: Victor C. Agustin
The little known trademark feud involving the third generation heirs of the Savory Chicken restaurant chain has thankfully been amicably resolved.
Established in 1950 in Quiapo originally as a panciteria by the three Ting brothers, Savory has grown into about several dozens of stores in Metro Manila and key provincial cities but with three different corporate ownership to reflect the different branches of the Fujianese immigrants.
Despite their different corporate ownership, the three Savory branches have nearly identical menus and pricing.
According to the grapevine, the feud broke out after more aggressive of the clan, the mall-based Classic Savory group headed by Ramon Tan, registered “Original Savory” among the group’s trademarks, despite the restaurant chain being operated by his cousins under the Ng Tian and Sons Inc. group.
To make a long story short, the cousins have agreed to effectively crave up the burgeoning restaurant empire, with the Ramon Tan group having the exclusive right to operate in SM, Ayala and Robinsons malls under the Classic Savory trademark.
The Ng Tian group, on the other hand has been extended the perpetual use to the trademark “Original Savory” for their stand-alone restaurants and other outlets outside of the Big 3 malls.
In addition, the Ng Tian has been given the right of first refusal to the Savory trademark should the Ramon Tan group decide to relinquish the name.
According to the grapevine, the third branch of the family, operating the least number of Savory outlets, did not join the litigation and the subsequent settlement.
The Ng Tian / Original Savory Group was represented in the negotiation by
Gancayco Balasbas and Associates Law Offices, while the Vergara Mamangun Jamero Law Offices represented the Ramon Tan / Classic Savory Group.
Source:
The Philippine Star
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