Takis Biltong: Guarding Against Trade Mark Snack Attacks

In South Africa few names evoke the savoury delight of biltong quite like Takis Biltong. This family-owned business, cherished by many for over four decades, recently found itself in a protracted legal tussle against international food giant Grupo Bimbo. But as reported recently, while Takis Biltong emerged victorious in the courtroom, the battle to protect its brand continues on supermarket shelves. This snack-saga not only highlights the challenges faced by local brands but also underscores the need for vigilance and proactive measures in the world of trade mark protection.

Imagine crafting the perfect biltong recipe, a snack loved by millions in Mzansi, only to find a foreign snack, masquerading under a deceptively similar name, trying to muscle its way onto your turf. That's exactly what happened when Takis Fuego, a tortilla chip brand owned by Grupo Bimbo, started appearing in South African stores. Despite operating in different food categories, the visual