Chukwuemeka Ejekwu, the skit maker fondly called ‘Oga
Sabinus,’ has threatened to sue the beverage company Peak Milk over what he has
described as unauthorised usage of his trademark.
The comedian also sued UAC Foods, the makers of the sausage
roll Gala, for using his photos in an ad campaign.
Stanley Alieke, Sabinu’s legal representative, expressed
concern that Friesland Foods, the beverage maker’s parent firm, used the
comedian’s catchphrase “something hooge” in an advert on its social media
handle.
In the notice, Sabinus
demanded, through his lawyer, N1 billion in compensation and damages.
He further threatened a lawsuit if the brand failed to
comply within two weeks from the receipt of the legal notice.
“Our client briefed us and we believe the same to be true
that your Company, Friesland Foods Wamco Nigeria Plc, used a trademarked slogan
‘Something Hooge’ for the promotion of your Peak Milk product,” the legal
notice read.
“The advert which was made on the Peak Milk Nigeria verified
Instagram page (peak_milk) was posted on the 24th day of May 2022 which was
used to promote the Peak National Breakfast Week.
“It will interest you
to know that the phrase ‘something hooge’, which was popularized by our client,
has been trademarked and legally reserved as his intellectual property by the
Federal Ministry of Trade and Investment.
“The said slogan was trademarked on the 26th of November
2021 with the file number: NG/TM/O/2021/48316. 10. On this note, we make the
demand for the payment of the sum of Five Hundred Million Naira (N500m) as
compensation for the unauthorized use of the intellectual property belonging to
our client.
“And another five hundred million Naira for damages for the
trauma; emotional, physical, psychological, and mental trauma our client has
suffered for the Trademark theft and infringement of his intellectual property
rights.
“We also pass a stern warning for your company to cease and
desist forthwith the use of slogans, expressions, images, or any other
intellectual properties belonging to our client without his express consent and
authorization.”
Sabinus also demanded N500 million in compensation to be
paid within 14 days for UAC Food’s usage of an anime version of him in a social
media advertising campaign.
“Your company UAC Food Ltd. has been using the brand picture
and other intellectual properties of Sabinus to make adverts for your Gala sausage
roll without the consent or authorization of our clients,” another notice read.
“You made a post on your verified Instagram handle (gala
sausage roll), on the 23rd of May, 2022 with the picture of our client. The
post which was a cartoon of our client was captioned ‘the way I calculate
everything in my life’.
“We demand that you pay our client the sum of one hundred
million Naira (N100m) for the use of the picture which is the average fee our
client charges for his picture to be used for adverts and promotions.
“It will be in your
best interest to heed our warning and meet our demands and if at the end of 14
working days.”
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