URSB trademark ruling raises questions for foreign investors’ trademark protection

A ruling by the Uganda Registration Services Bureau (URSB) has raised concerns over the ability of foreign investors to protect their trademarks in Uganda after the trademarks registrar dismissed an opposition filed by a United States company on grounds that its lawyers lacked the requisite authorisation.

The decision, delivered by Assistant Registrar of Trademarks Kukunda Lynette Africa on September 14, dismissed an opposition by Kampala Campbell’s Company, a US-incorporated company, against the registration of the trademark “V8 LUBOGO” in the name of Mr Peter Njawuzi.

The registrar held that the company’s lawyers, MMAKS Advocates, did not have the requisite authority to institute the opposition at the time it was filed.