Noodle maker told to stop using critic's name

Imitation may be flattering for some people, but Hugo Leung Man-to was less than happy with his recent Christmas surprise.

On Boxing Day, the well-known food critic and restaurateur discovered that a one-time business partner was still using his name on packages of dried noodles, the Court of First Instance heard yesterday.

Mr Leung had a licensing agreement with Triple Noodle & Food Company Limited, but the pact expired in May 2006, barrister Philips Wong Bun-fai told Mr Justice Johnson Lam Man-hon.

The barrister passed boxes filled with dried noodle packages to the judge for a closer look.

The allegedly incriminating evidence was purchased at Triple Noodle's Wan Chai shop several days ago, he said.

'[Mr Leung] has no control over the quality of the product,' Mr Wong said. 'That caused damage to the plaintiff's reputation.'

Judge Lam agreed, and granted Mr Leung's injunction request to put an end to sales of noodles with his image and picture.

No one appeared in court for Triple Noodle yesterday.

Mr Leung's legal action asked for unspecified damages or all profits connected to sales of noodles with his name and image.

His barrister could not say how many eponymous noodle packages had been sold after Mr Leung's agreement with Triple Noodle ended.

Known as 'To-to', Mr Leung gained fame as a broadcaster and food critic. He also turned the Tai Wing Wah Restaurant in Yuen Long into a famed eatery.