Mainland Milk Tea Packaging Sparks Plagiarism Row Over Hong Kong Iconic Brand
SingTao · 1 SOURCESabout 3 hours ago5 MIN
Summary
A mainland Chinese bottled milk tea product has sparked controversy after social media users highlighted its packaging design as suspiciously similar to Hong Kong's iconic Black & White (黑白淡奶) evaporated milk brand . The product, discovered in mainland supermarkets, features the same red-and-white color scheme and cow illustrations that have made the Hong Kong brand a nostalgic symbol for generations of locals. The similarities were so striking that many netizens admitted they would easily mistake the lookalike for the original product. Following the viral discussion, experienced shoppers have stepped forward to educate consumers on how to differentiate between the two products based on two key identifying features .
Key Points
- Hong Kong's Black & White brand features a distinctive red-and-white color scheme with a cow illustration as its hallmark design element .
- The mainland version mirrors this aesthetic almost exactly, prompting accusations of deliberate imitation from online commentators .
- One netizen commented that the design was "so obviously copied it's disgusting," while others noted how easy it would be to fall for the deception .
- The first distinguishing method involves text: the authentic Hong Kong product uses traditional Chinese characters, whereas the mainland version employs simplified characters and mainland-specific terminology .
- The second identifying feature is the cow illustration: the Hong Kong version shows the cow with its head raised and looking forward, while the mainland copy depicts the cow with its head lowered, grazing .
Why It Matters
The incident highlights growing concerns about packaging deception targeting Hong Kong consumers who may inadvertently purchase mainland products believing them to be local brands. Experts advise shoppers to carefully examine product labels and design details before making purchases, as counterfeit packaging continues to pose challenges for brand authenticity in the region .
The incident highlights growing concerns about packaging deception targeting Hong Kong consumers who may inadvertently purchase mainland products believing them to be local brands. Experts advise shoppers to carefully examine product labels and design details before making purchases, as counterfeit packaging continues to pose challenges for brand authenticity in the region .