In a world where cultural sensitivity and intellectual property rights intersect. The UK Restaurant Chain Faces TikTok Backlash Over Trademarking Vietnamese Word ‘Pho’ has found itself at the centre of a heated debate after attempting to trademark. This controversy has sparked a major backlash, particularly on TikTok, where users are questioning the ethics of trademarking a term that holds deep cultural significance for millions of people.
While the issue of trademarking culturally significant words is not new, this latest incident shines a spotlight on the complex relationship between food, language, and commercial interests.
The Backlash Unfolds
Pho, a beloved Vietnamese noodle soup made with rich broth, rice noodles, and various meats, is a dish that has long been part of Vietnam’s culinary identity. Its history dates back to the early 20th century and is intertwined with the country’s cultural heritage.
As a result, when a UK Restaurant Chain like Pho — which operates multiple locations across the UK — sought to trademark the word “pho,” many felt that it was an inappropriate attempt to commercialize and commodify an essential part of Vietnamese culture.
This move did not sit well with the online community, especially on TikTok, where viral videos and posts have brought attention to the controversy. Users have taken to the platform to express their outrage, questioning how a UK business can lay claim to a word that is not only part of a global culinary lexicon but is also central to the identity of a nation.
Trademarking a Word with Cultural Significance
The case of the Pho restaurant chain attempting to trademark the word “pho” raises important questions about the intersection of intellectual property law and cultural heritage.
Typically, trademarks are granted to protect businesses from competition by preventing others from using the same name or symbol in a way that could confuse them. However, the application of this principle to culturally significant words has been contested in recent years.
The concept of using trademarks to protect words and symbols that have deep cultural roots is not inherently wrong. However, when the word in question represents something much bigger than just a product — in this case, a dish that is deeply connected to the history, identity, and pride of a nation — the ethics of such a move become murky.
In the case of UK Restaurant Chain Faces TikTok Backlash Over Trademarking Vietnamese Word ‘Pho’. Many people argue that attempting to trademark the word risks turning something with deep cultural significance into just another commercial asset. After all, the UK Restaurant Chain’s success stems, in part, from the global popularity of pho, which, for many people, is more than just a meal — it is a symbol of Vietnamese culture. To claim ownership over the word “pho” is seen by critics as an act of cultural appropriation.
TikTok’s Role in the Backlash
TikTok has become a powerful platform for raising awareness about cultural issues and providing a space for users to express their opinions. In this case, the backlash against Pho’s trademark attempt spread rapidly through TikTok videos, with users from around the world calling attention to the perceived injustice. The platform’s short-form video format allows users to easily share their thoughts and opinions, making it an ideal space for activism and viral trends.
In videos that have garnered thousands of likes and shares, TikTok users have expressed their frustration with the idea of a non-Vietnamese business attempting to take control over a word that is essential to the cultural fabric of Vietnam. Some have even pointed out that, while the Pho restaurant chain may have popularized the dish in the UK, its origins lie far beyond the boundaries of any one restaurant, making the trademark move of the word especially controversial.
The backlash has also led to wider discussions about cultural appropriation in the food industry. Many TikTok users have pointed out that food is a powerful cultural expression and that, when businesses appropriate dishes or terms from other cultures, it often leads to the erasure of the dish’s true origins and significance.
Legal and Ethical Implications
The legal side of this issue is complex. In the UK, trademark law allows for the protection of certain words, provided they meet specific criteria. For a word to be trademarked, it must be distinctive and used in commerce. However, words that are descriptive of a product or service (such as “pho” for a type of soup) generally cannot be trademarked unless they acquire a secondary meaning through extensive use in commerce. In this case, the Pho restaurant chain has argued that it has built up enough recognition for the word “pho” to justify its trademark.
Despite this legal argument, the ethical implications of trademarking a word that is not inherently unique to the business remain controversial. Critics argue that the restaurant’s use of the word “pho” in its name is part of a broader trend of businesses appropriating cultural symbols and traditions without adequately acknowledging their origins or the people who created them. In this case, UK Restaurant Chain Faces TikTok Backlash Over Trademarking Vietnamese Word ‘Pho’, the trademarking of “pho” seems to have overlooked the historical and cultural context of the dish.
A Cultural Conversation
The controversy surrounding Pho’s trademarking of the word “pho” has sparked a much-needed conversation about the ownership of cultural heritage and the commercial exploitation of traditional foods. It has also highlighted the power of social media platforms like TikTok in shaping public opinion and holding businesses accountable for their actions.
For Pho, the backlash could result in reputational damage, especially if it continues to face resistance from the public. The company may be forced to reconsider its decision, either by withdrawing the trademark application or by finding a way to engage with the Vietnamese community to ensure that the cultural significance of pho is respected. After all, the restaurant’s success depends on its connection to a dish that holds immense cultural value — something that could be jeopardized if it continues to be seen as culturally insensitive.
conclusion
In this context, the UK Restaurant Chain Faces TikTok Backlash Over Trademarking Vietnamese Word ‘Pho’. The controversy over Pho’s attempt to trademark the word “pho” is not just about a legal dispute — it is about the cultural ownership of food and how globalization, commodification, and cultural appropriation intersect.
The conversation surrounding Pho’s trademark serves as a reminder that respect for cultural heritage should always be a priority, even in the competitive world of business. We as a team of professionals help you in every context so that nobody creates problems in your business growth.