Counterfeit Thai coconut drinks deceive Chinese consumers
The Department of International Trade Promotion (DITP) in Thailand has reported concerns about the imitation of the Thai coconut drink brand “IF” by a Chinese brand “TF”, widely available on Chinese e-commerce platforms. The imitation products, reportedly identical in packaging and name to the IF brand, are confusing Chinese consumers.
Despite their similarities in appearance, the TF brand differs from IF in taste and ingredients, with some consumers describing it as having an unpleasant taste and complex ingredient list. The discovery of these counterfeit coconut drinks has sparked worries about product quality, potentially deterring consumers from purchasing coconut drinks.
TF, the manufacturer, located in Chenzhou, Hunan province, produces and distributes fruit beverages and sodas. On March 17, the Chenzhou market regulatory agency instructed the factory to address the imitation issue and remove the remaining products from the market by May 1, 2024.
Reports also indicate that similar imitations exist in the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region and Guizhou province, with some factories altering product names to avoid legal issues, using names like “1F” or “LF.”
This is not the first instance of Thai products being copied in China, as past incidents include trademark disputes and lawsuits. To safeguard their interests and preserve competitiveness, Thai exporters must register their trademarks in China due to intense market competition and frequent trademark disputes.
The growing health trend in China has made coconut water popular, leading to increased demand and the emergence of counterfeit products, notably affecting the IF brand.
As a major global coconut water producer and exporter, Thai exporters must register trademarks and intellectual property before entering the Chinese market. This can prevent trademark hijacking and imitation.
To combat counterfeiting, brands should consider several strategies:
- Register their trademarks and intellectual property to protect brand names, logos, and packaging designs in key export markets like China, the US, and the EU. If a product has a unique formula or production process, international patents should be pursued.
- Enhance anti-counterfeiting measures, such as using tamper-proof labels (e.g., QR codes, laser-proof seals) on packaging to help consumers verify product authenticity.
- Design unique packaging using complex materials or designs to increase the difficulty of counterfeiting.
- Educate consumers about brand differences through official websites and social media, and collaborate with local distributors and retailers to showcase authentic products, enabling consumers to distinguish genuine from counterfeit versions. Communicating brand history, production processes, and quality promises can build consumer trust.
Trademark and intellectual property registration, along with anti-counterfeiting measures, effectively prevent trademark hijacking and imitation.
Thai businesses should pursue these registrations before exporting to China and engage in brand promotion to enhance consumer ability to differentiate between genuine and counterfeit products.
This will help maintain brand reputation, consumer trust, and long-term competitiveness of Thai coconut drinks and other products in the Chinese market, reported KhaoSod.
Latest Thailand News
