NDTV Good Times, the lifestyle channel of NDTV, has filed a legal notice to TLC, the lifestyle channel from Discovery Communications, over its 2012 show âFoodistanâ, whose name has been picked up by TLC for its latest show launched in April 2017.
A statement from NDTV Good Times stated, âDiscovery Communicationsâ TLC channel has misappropriated the use of the name of NDTV Good Timesâ programme âFoodistanâ for a cookery show on its channel, completely disregarding trademark protocols.â
BestMediaInfo.com could not get a response from Discovery Communications till the time of filing this report.
'Foodistanâ on NDTV Good Times was a food reality show that went on air in January 2012. It was a battle for culinary supremacy between 16 chefs from India and Pakistan. NDTV Good Times claimed that the show acquired tremendous recognition and reputation. The show was heavily promoted with widespread advertising and extensive use of public relations. Thereafter, NDTV Good Times filed for the registration of the trademark Foodistan in September 2013. The registration is under process.
NDTV in its official press statement mentioned, âIn a possible attempt to seek profit from the equity that NDTV Good Times programme enjoys, TLC Channel recently introduced a cookery show âFoodistanâ.â
The statement said, âSeveral independent websites are also identifying NDTV Good Timesâ original show Foodistanâs logo for TLCâs impugned show. They are using the logo, however mentioning the telecast on TLC Channel, which is misleading viewers.â
NDTV Good Times has sent a legal notice to TLC to cease and desist using its trade mark Foodistan to further its business and remove all references from its channel and website.
The dispute has critical business implications as the channels are key competitors in the genre of lifestyle programming and appeal to an identical target audience.
