Takoyaki business in viral prank may be held liable for lack of promo permit, says DTI

The Department of Trade and Industry said that the owner of a Takoyaki Business, who admitted that his viral April Fool’s prank was part of a marketing scheme, may be held liable for conducting a promotion without a proper permit, Ivan Mayrina reported on "24 Oras" on Thursday.

“Kung inaamin niya na marketing gimmick yan lumalabas na parang siya talagang promotional in that sense. At kung wala silang DTI permit, pwede silang mapapanagutan ng DTI na violation na conducting ng promotion without securing first DTI sales promo permit,” said DTI Assistant Secretary Amanda Nograles during a public briefing.

The DTI also issued a reminder the issuance of permits for promos, that are subject to standards, is part of the mandate of the agency.

If the owner of the Takoyaki business applied for a permit for its April Fools prank as a sales promo, the mechanics may not have passed the DTI standards.

“Tinitingnan natin yung mechanics. Sino ang sakop? Paano ba manalo dito sa sales promotion na to? At kung ano man yung pinapagawa nila para manalo, tama ba ito? Wala bang illegal dito or immoral dito?” she added.

The DTI clarified that it had no power to suspend or cancel business permits.

However, if a complaint is file the DTI may refer the case to the local government unit, which issues business permits.

The said Takoyaki business went viral on April 1 after a customer allegedly followed through with the business’ April Fool’s prank daring customers to tattoo their logo on their foreheads in exchange for P100,000.

The customer and business owner later admitted that the “prank” was planned and scripted to promote the Takoyaki business.

Business owner Carl Quion declined to issue a comment on the DTI statements. — Jiselle Anne Casucian/BAP, GMA Integrated News