David Pierson/Los Angeles Times
What’s in a name?
Well, millions of dollars worth of marketing value if that name is Sriracha. David Tran, the founder of Huy Fong’s super popular Sriracha sauce never trademarked the name, meaning big name food brands such as Heinz can use it for their own purposes. Industry experts say Tran missed out on major royalties by failing to apply for the trademark, but he says it’s free advertising for him.
Huy Fong’s recognizable and popular sriracha sauce bottles are trademarked,
but its name is up for grabs. (Photo: Scott Olson/Getty Images)
Whether or not that’s true, Huy Fong’s Sriracha sauce is not hurting in sales, having posted a $20 million jump in sales in the the last two years.
Even with other companies applying for trademark patents, it is unlikely
any will win since the word “sriracha” is so ubiquitous. (Photo: David McNew/Getty Images)
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