Hainanese beef noodle seller's son defamed rival: Court
Judge awards $10,000 in damages to former franchisee for injury to business reputation
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Hunger Busters, which ran The Beef Station at The Venue Shoppes, sued Mr Jonathan Cheok for publishing defamatory remarks on Feb 15, 2018, on his Facebook and Instagram accounts. It used to operate as a franchisee of Original Orchard Emerald Beef Noodles, started by Mr Cheok's father.
ST PHOTO: ALPHONSUS CHERN
Concerned that their original Orchard Emerald Hainanese beef noodle recipe may be tweaked and used by a former franchisee, the owner's son took to Facebook and Instagram to slam the food at the latter's shop.
A district judge found the remarks defamatory and ordered $10,000 in damages to be paid to the owner of The Beef Station, as general damages for injury caused to its business reputation.