We advise on all aspects of trade marks and brand protection in Uganda, Africa wide, and worldwide. We regularly advise household-name brands, providing strategic trade mark advice, enabling them to generate, preserve, exploit and expand value in their brands.
Our work includes:
| -IP audits and due diligence – Trademark Search, clearance and registration -Trade mark and passing off litigation -Contentious Registry proceedings -Anti-counterfeiting -Parallel imports and repackaging – Trade libel and malicious falsehood |
-Comparative advertising and advertising complaints -Competition and restraint of trade – Domain name recovery and company name disputes -Licensing -Franchising -Distribution and agency arrangements |
We have an extensive experience in coordinating and handling local and multi-jurisdictional disputes, including through Registry proceedings such as oppositions and cancellations, and in resolving such disputes out of court where appropriate.
We act directly before the Uganda Registration Services Bureau Intellectual Property Office, the Community Trade Marks Office (OHIM) and the World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO). Regarding overseas matters, we work with our established network of trusted local partners who are experts in local trade mark laws.
Our trade mark experience also includes dispute resolution and litigation. We have an in-depth understanding of the Ugandan and East African court and appellate court procedures. Notwithstanding our expertise in litigation, we recognise our client’s commercial concerns and understand the importance of pursuing mediation and alternative dispute resolution procedures where appropriate. We have advised a number of e-commerce businesses in relation to trade mark disputes; many of which are resolved before reaching trial.