'Deopjuk Deopjuk' Additional Revelations Appear... "They Also Snatched Our Diet Tea Trademark Registration"

Diet tea seller Teatreet claimed on Instagram on the 12th that Deopjuk Deopjuk plagiarized its trademark. Photo by Teatreet Instagram capture.

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Bong-ju] Food company Deopjuk Deopjuk has been embroiled in controversy over allegations of plagiarizing the menu of a Deopjuk restaurant in Pohang, Gyeongbuk, featured on the TV show 'Baek Jong-won's Alley Restaurant.' Now, new allegations have emerged that Deopjuk Deopjuk has also infringed on the trademark rights of a tea sales company.

Diet tea sales company Teatreet posted on Instagram on the 12th targeting Deopjuk Deopjuk, stating, "That company, which did a similar thing to us at Teatreet," and added, "Shortly after the release of Nyang-i Tea, the successor to Fox Tea (sold by Teatreet), that company hastily registered the trademark for Nyang-i Tea. They have the trademark rights without any product."

They continued, "We were so shocked that we had to file an objection with the Patent Office and are currently waiting," and said, "If the objection is not accepted, we will not be able to use the name Nyang-i Tea, and that company will legally sell Nyang-i Tea as if it were theirs. Just like Deopjuk right now."

Teatreet stated, "Beyond legal matters, we hope for a business environment where fair competition prevails and the efforts and ideas of others are respected."

The owner of a Deopjuk restaurant in Pohang appeared on the SBS entertainment program Baek Jong-won's Alley Restaurant to introduce the Deopjuk menu. Photo by SBS Baek Jong-won's Alley Restaurant broadcast screen capture

Earlier, the owner of the Deopjuk restaurant in Pohang appeared on the SBS entertainment program 'Baek Jong-won's Alley Restaurant' to introduce the Deopjuk menu. Deopjuk is a menu inspired by Deopbap, which places toppings over rice, but uses porridge instead of rice.

However, controversy arose when it was revealed that Deopjuk Deopjuk was signing franchise contracts with a menu similar to that of the Pohang Deopjuk restaurant.

The owner of the Pohang Deopjuk restaurant posted on his Instagram on the 9th, saying, "I have not opened any Deopjuk restaurants in other regions," and pleaded, "Please do not steal (the recipe)."

Menu of Pohang Deopjukjip (left), apology statement from Deopjukdeopjuk involved in plagiarism controversy (right). Photo by Pohang Deopjukjip Instagram, Deopjukdeopjuk official website.

Subsequently, Lee Sang-jun, CEO of Deopjuk Deopjuk, stated on the company's website that day, "We deeply hurt the representative of Sinchon’s Deopjuk in Pohang, who developed Deopjuk through months of research and effort," and "We sincerely reflect on causing harm to the representative by not upholding business ethics," adding, "We acknowledge all faults and will withdraw all franchise operations of the Deopjuk Deopjuk brand effective immediately."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.