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| The design was inspired by the outer shell of a "tanghulu", a hawthorn snack glazed with syrup popular in Beijing (Photo by=AFP/STR) |
[Asia News = Reporter Reakkana] BEIJING: Chinese bakers looking to cash in on the popularity of the Beijing Winter Olympics mascot have ended up on thin ice after market authorities cracked down on sweet treats shaped like the cartoon panda, AFP reported.
Officials cited licensing concerns for their swoops on the gastronomic homages to Bing Dwen Dwen. Generally depicted in a full-body ice suit, Bing Dwen Dwen has sparked long queues at Olympic souvenir shops, with many willing to fork out more than the official price to get their hands on one amid shortages. While its name officially means "ice child" in Mandarin, this is more colloquially translated as "ice chubster". It’s often seen alongside Shuey Rhon Rhon, the mascot for the Winter Paralympic Games.
Authorities have said they’re investigating several businesses using the Olympics symbol without permission. One bakery in the southeastern province of Jiangsu was reported for advertising cakes shaped like the rotund panda, and lacked "relevant authorisation", local officials said Friday. "Intellectual property rights such as patents and copyrights of Bing Dwen Dwen are owned by the Beijing Winter Olympics Organizing Committee," the notice stressed. Offending bakeries were also reported in other parts of the country, said state media. Spectators are largely banned from the Games due to COVID-19 restrictions, and owning the mascot may be the closest most people get to the Beijing Winter Olympics.
