Royal Mabati, Vintage Mabati fight over trademarks, designs
Royal Mabati Factory Ltd has sued rival Vintage Mabati Mills Ltd, alleging trademark infringement and the misuse of trade secrets by former consultants. The High Court in Nairobi has issued a temporary injunction against the defendants while the case proceeds.
Why it matters
The case underscores the importance of intellectual property protection and the legal risks associated with former employees starting competing businesses.
Two iron sheet manufacturing firms are locked in a court battle over trademarks and branding, with Royal Mabati Factory Ltd accusing rival Vintage Mabati Mills Ltd of using marks and designs similar to its registered intellectual property.
In the suit filed in the High Court in Nairobi, Royal Mabati accuses its four former consultants of using knowledge gained while working with the company to run a rival business.
Royal Mabati is seeking Sh50 million in special damages, general and punitive damages, a permanent injunction against the alleged infringement, an account of profits, and the delivery and destruction of infringing roofing products.
The company says the four individual defendants—Isaac Karanja, Samson Waweru, John Gatharu and Victor Koech— had access to its trade secrets and proprietary information before incorporating Vintage Mabati and allegedly adopting substantially similar trademarks, colours, logos and branding.
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