Tightening the screw: The banner with the fTV logo that got the resto-bar into trouble

FTV India says owner of newly-opened fBar & Kitchen has no right to use the fashion TV logo

fBar & Kitchen, a posh resto-bar, opened its doors on St Marks Road on Friday night in the middle of controversy.

While the party was in full swing the PR firm representing fTV India sent out SMSesu00a0 to reporters alleging that they had had not authorised the project.u00a0

Competitors blamed

fBar & Kitchen co-owner Shibu Thomas insisted that the documentation was in order. "We have got the agreement from fTV Paris and fTV India. I'm sure my competitors are trying to spread malicious rumours. I wouldn't open an international franchisee outlet as big as this, without proper papers in place. If you want I can show you the papers," he claimed.

But when this reporter asked to see the papers, Shibu said, "I will call for a press conference soon to show that we have all the papers. Till then I cannot give out any official papers."
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Sanjay Mani, group head, licencing and merchandising of fashion TV India, is not buying his argument. Talking to MiD DAY on phone from Mumbai, Sanjay explained, "They were not supposed to use the fashion TV logo. Our talks have been going on since last year and we've had several meetings. They were given some statutory procedures such as building structure, interiors and fire safety. The building itself has many irregularities. They haven't got the necessary approval from the fire department."

He added, "Other than such violations, fTV adaptations were not in place. Right from the commencement of the project, we had objections. In December, we had communicated to them, in writing, that they should not go ahead unless they followed fTV regulations."

However, Shibu insisted that there was an agreement between fTV India and the four partners of fBar & Kitchen.u00a0

Violations

Sanjay said, "We did have an agreement with them, but we had clearly told them that the fBar & Kitchen had not been given approval for launch."

u00a0"It is also about regulations of an international brand, which has not been adhered to. This is a breach of contract.u00a0 Our lawyers have been notified and they will file a case of terminating the contract on Monday morning," he told MiD DAY.

Tightening the screw: The banner with the fTV logo that got the resto-bar into trouble