Did Taiwan copy Hong Kong's original "watermelon toast"? Netizens: Canada had it first

▲Tomakukki Café in Hong Kong issued a statement on Facebook, claiming that Yilan’s Jimi watermelon toast “completely imitated and plagiarized our creation.” (Photo / Screenshot fromTomakukki Café)

Travel Center / Comprehensive Report

The adorable and fun-looking "watermelon toast" became a viral hit and bestseller in Taiwan starting in May, but Tomakukki Café in Hong Kong issued a statement on Facebook on the 27th, claiming that the recently popular watermelon toast in Taiwan is not an original creation—stating that their shop had already created the watermelon square bread in April 2014 and had applied for an appearance copyright in Hong Kong, directly accusing Yilan’s Jimi Bakery Handicraft Workshop of suspected plagiarism.

Faced with the accusations, Li Wenfa, the owner of Jimi Bakery Handicraft Workshop, stated that he really doesn’t know who the original creator is, nor was he aware that Hong Kong also has square watermelon bread. However, some netizens posted videos showing that as early as two years ago, there were tutorials on making watermelon toast abroad.

Tomakukki Café in Hong Kong stated that they began offering this watermelon square bread in April 2014. Around June to July 2014, they started running Facebook ads in Taiwan, and there have always been Taiwanese customers asking if it could be delivered. However, according to Taiwan regulations, after inquiring with several courier companies, none could ship food from Hong Kong. It wasn’t until early 2015 that they discovered Hong Kong Post’s Speedpost service could deliver food, so they began being able to ship to Taiwan around February, suspecting that Mr. Li from Yilan Bakery Handicraft Workshop might have seen posts from these Taiwanese friends around this time and started thinking about copying it.

▲Yilan’s Jimi Bakery Handicraft Workshop is embroiled in the originality controversy, with owner Li Wenfa issuing a four-point statement in response. (Photo / Screenshot fromLi Wenfa’s Facebook)

In response to the doubts raised by Hong Kong’s Tomakukki Café,Li Wenfa also specifically posted four points of clarification on his personal Facebook, stating that he really doesn’t know who the original creator is, nor was he aware that Hong Kong also has square watermelon bread. He also thanked everyone for their support of Jimi and said he will continue to develop new products in the future to give back to everyone.

In fact, since the watermelon toast went viral, many shops in Taiwan have started making this trending product. Mina Sweetheart Bakery in Taichung (Minacheese), Miller House Boutique Bakery in Changhua, and Miletto Fashion Handcrafted Bakery in Zhongli, among others, have spread across Taiwan, with roughly nearly 10 bakeries having launched watermelon toast products, all well-received by consumers.

Mina Sweetheart Bakery in Taichung also announced on its official fan page that it launched related products as early as March 2014, a timeline even earlier than what Hong Kong’s Tomakukki Café claimed.

This article is published by HowToTrip. Sharing and reposting are welcome — please credit the source.
Article URL: https://www.howtotrip.net/views-11160