Apex court orders Current Noodles to cease imitating Wai Wai TM

KATHMANDU: The Supreme Court has ruled that Yashoda Foods must refrain from imitating the trademark of Wai Wai Instant Noodles. The joint bench of judges, Kumar Regmi and Abdul Aziz Musalman, delivered this verdict.

The legal battle ensued when Current Noodles replicated Wai Wai's distinctive trademark. CG Foods Nepal swiftly sought legal intervention to prevent this infringement. Despite a prior order from the Patan High Court prohibiting Yashoda Foods from copying the trademark, Yashoda Foods appealed to the Supreme Court, arguing for the right to use a similar trademark. The Supreme Court upheld the Patan High Court's decision, emphasising that Current Noodles must not copy Wai Wai's trademark.

Consumers have been left confused by Yashoda Foods' Current Noodles, which bear misleadingly similar packaging to Wai Wai noodles — a globally renowned brand and Nepal's favourite choice.

Allegedly, Yashoda Foods intentionally copied Wai Wai's trademark, attempting to capitalise on the four-decade legacy of Wai Wai's reputation both in Nepal and internationally.

Furthermore, Yashoda Foods made an unsuccessful attempt to register the copied trademark as its own. The High Court promptly ordered the Department of Industry to halt the registration process for Yashoda's application no. 098222.

In compliance with the court's directive, Yashoda Foods must recall any Current Noodles already in the market bearing the copied trademarks. Failure to do so would be considered contempt of court.

For the past 40 years, Wai Wai brand noodles, produced by Chaudhary Group to rigorous international quality standards, have remained the preferred choice for Nepali citizens both within the country and worldwide.