This
week I chose the article, Mash Donalds?
Iranians Copy American Fast-Food Brands, from NPR. Holly Dagres, an
Iranian-American who lives in Cairo published a photo essay on Buzz Feed of
“fake franchises” of American restaurants in Tehran. These businesses bear an
obvious resemblance to their American counterparts. Despite some having the
exact logos of the originals, they have nothing to do with the U.S. franchises.
With diplomatic relations, there would be a law suit, but until then Mash
Donald’s and Pizza Hat are going strong.
I’m
not sure how I feel about this issue. Individuals have created these businesses
and worked to grow and maintain their image and model so it seem unfair for
someone to step in and use that outside of the company. At the same time, with
no relations, in some ways they have a right. KFC has sued along with
Starbucks, against their Iranian replica, Raees Coffee. I encourage you to look
at the link to the photo essay. This gives you a new perspective of American
companies and Middle Eastern culture.
http://www.buzzfeed.com/politicallyaff/the-greatest-form-of-flattery-imitation-american-ebwy
Well, unfortunantly, businesses seem to do this all the time. Just like with cell phones as an example. One brand comes out with a certain camera, finger scanner or touch screen and before you know it, all of the other phone brands have the exact same features. It doesn't seem fair, it's just like cheating, which isn't tollerated in schools.
ReplyDeleteComment by Tyra Harris 5th period
ReplyDeleteIt's funny to me that so many countries claim to hate the American people, what we stand for/represent and our influence, yet they enjoy deliberately copying our cell phone company's structure (Apple v. Samsung), hacking our computers and now, replicating our restaurants and posing them as their own original work. They lack creativity and resort to stealing American ideas...while still wanting to fight wars against us? How hypocritical. However, I do think it's smart of Iran to be aware of their irrelevance in the fast food industry. I mean, who wouldn't want to mirror a successful American conception?
I agree that it would be pretty cold hearted of these large corporations to absorb these copy-cat restaurants. Though they are using the influence of already-established chain restaurants to launch their own imitations, they were established by the individual owners, and in which case, are entitled to credit for their restaurants.
ReplyDeleteI just think that they should have the copy-cat restaurants stop using their similar logos and merchandise and then leave it alone. I get that they were using the well-known companies identifiers to get customers but if they can survive on their own without the resemblance than they have every right to continue their business.
ReplyDelete