It has come to our attention that an organization is engaging in confusingly similar practices by representing itself as the organizer of the previous "Taste of Asia" events. This organization has announced an event called "Alberta Night Market - YEG" scheduled to take place at the Terwillegar Community Recreation Centre just one week before ASIAFEST 2024 (September 13-15). Their misleading promotions, including phrases like "Taste of Asia is now Alberta Night Market Edmonton" are intended to confuse the public and vendors, creating the false impression that ASIAFEST is not the legitimate continuation of the "Taste of Asia" series, or that ASIAFEST has been cancelled, moved, or does not exist. We believe that these actions constitute "passing off", intellectual property infringement, and appropriation of the goodwill of our events as theirs. This raises serious concerns about potential damage to our participants, vendors, stakeholders and the integrity of ASIAFEST.
As the official organizers of "Taste of Asia YEG" in 2022 and 2023, we have rebranded the third annual night market this year under the name "ASIAFEST". The night market will be held at the same location as the previous Taste of Asia events i.e. the Currents of Windermere. This new name reflects our commitment to be more inclusive while enhancing the uniqueness and visibility of the event. We wish to be absolutely clear that we have never held a night market outside of Currents of Windermere, nor have we organized or endorsed any event under the name "Alberta Night Market - YEG." Furthermore, we have no affiliation with any private entities, including "Fantuan" or the influencer "Edmonton Explorer," in organizing night markets.
It has also come to our attention that Benjamin Wai Kit Chan, a former volunteer from last year's organizing committee and now a director of the Alberta Asian Business Association, the entity behind "Alberta Night Market - YEG," has improperly retained control of the "TasteofAsiaYEG2023" social media accounts. Despite our request for him to return these accounts upon his resignation, he has ignored this request and recently renamed the accounts to "abnightmarketyeg2024" to promote his event. This action has appropriated our digital assets and raises serious concerns about the unauthorized use of our brand.
While we support the vibrant diversity of community events and welcome others to organize their own initiatives, we will not tolerate any form of passing off, misrepresentation, appropriation of our goodwill or infringement of our rights. Consequently, we have reported this matter to the authorities and are pursuing all available legal remedies.
ASIAFEST was founded to provide a platform for new immigrants and entrepreneurs to develop their businesses and to promote Asian culture within the Edmonton community.
Over the past three years, we have been fortunate to receive unwavering support from the Government of Alberta, Taste of Edmonton, and Currents of Windermere. This year, we are honored to have the endorsement of MLA Nathan Ip, City Councillor Keren Tang, Jennifer Rice, Tim Cartmell, and MP Matt Jeneroux. Although we have grown over the years, we remain dedicated to our original mission: to celebrate and share Asian culture with the wider Edmonton community.
ASIAFEST 2024 Organizing Committee
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