Uganda Case Law

Uganda Young Men’s Christian Association v World Alliance of Young Men’s Christian Associations (Trademark Registration 68118 of 2020)

Uganda Young Men’s Christian Association v World Alliance of Young Men’s Christian Associations (Trademark Registration 68118 of 2020) [2025] UGRSB 7 (1 April 2025)

Court

Uganda Registration Services Bureau

Case number

Trademark Registration 68118 of 2020

Judge

Birungi Denis - Senior Registration Officer

The Registrar cancelled TM 68118 for YMCA, finding it was registered in error because an earlier application for the same mark and services was already pending.

• Trademark Registration
• Rectification Of Register
• Priority Of Application
• Territoriality Principle
• Likelihood Of Confusion
• Cancellation Proceedings

Benson & Hedges (Overseas) Limited v B & Foto Electronics Corp (Trademark Application 39465 of 2004)

Benson & Hedges (Overseas) Limited v B & Foto Electronics Corp (Trademark Application 39465 of 2004) [2024] UGRSB 12 (21 June 2024)

Court

Uganda Registration Services Bureau

Case number

Trademark Application 39465 of 2004

Judge

Birungi Denis - Senior Registration Officer

The Registrar dismissed an opposition to “B & H” in class 9, holding that the applicant’s electronics goods were unlike the opponent’s tobacco products.

• Trademark Registration
• Well Known Marks
• Likelihood Of Confusion
• Defensive Registration
• Trademark-opposition
• Well-known-marks

Nanoomal Issardas Motiwala (U) Limited v Himalaya Global Holdings Limited (Trademark Application 40921 of 2010)

Nanoomal Issardas Motiwala (U) Limited v Himalaya Global Holdings Limited (Trademark Application 40921 of 2010) [2024] UGRSB 13 (12 June 2024)

Court

Uganda Registration Services Bureau

Case number

Trademark Application 40921 of 2010

Judge

Birungi Denis - Senior Registration Officer

Opposition to registration of EVECARE in class 5 succeeded because the mark was found confusingly similar to the earlier EVE trademark.

• Trademark Registration
• Likelihood Of Confusion
• Distinctiveness
• Pharmaceutical Trademarks
• Trademark-opposition
• Likelihood-of-confusion

Krystalline Salt Limited v S.D.T Group of Companies (Trademark Application 40233 of 2009)

Krystalline Salt Limited v S.D.T Group of Companies (Trademark Application 40233 of 2009) [2024] UGRSB 5 (2 May 2024)

Court

Uganda Registration Services Bureau

Case number

Trademark Application 40233 of 2009

Judge

Birungi Denis - Senior Registration Officer

The applicant's "JJABARI" trademark is visually, phonetically, and conceptually similar to the opponent's registered "HABARI" trademark. Both marks feature nearly identical design elements, including coconut trees and birds, and the words are placed similarly. The goods covered by both marks are identical. The minor differences in lettering and small design elements do not sufficiently distinguish the marks. Applying the statutory prohibition under section 25 of the Trademarks Act, 2010, and established judicial tests for likelihood of confusion, the Registrar finds that the applicant's mark…

Source excerpt

• Trademark Similarity
• Likelihood Of Confusion
• Visual And Phonetic Comparison
• Distinctiveness Of Marks
• Fair Competition
• Registration Prohibition

East African Roofing Systems Limited v Metal Wood Industries Limited (Trademark Application 72822 of 2021)

East African Roofing Systems Limited v Metal Wood Industries Limited (Trademark Application 72822 of 2021) [2024] UGRSB 2 (7 February 2024)

Court

Uganda Registration Services Bureau

Case number

Trademark Application 72822 of 2021

Judge

Birungi Denis - Senior Registration Officer

The Registrar dismissed an opposition to the CROCODILE trademark applications, holding that the marks were not similar and that trade dress or passing off issues were outside the Registrar’s jurisdiction.

• Trademark Registration
• Opposition Proceedings
• Likelihood Of Confusion
• Distinctiveness
• Bad Faith
• Registrar Jurisdiction

Procter & Gamble Company v Momeasy Enterprises Limited (Trademark Application 73609 of 2021)

Procter & Gamble Company v Momeasy Enterprises Limited (Trademark Application 73609 of 2021) [2023] UGRSB 11 (24 October 2023)

Court

Uganda Registration Services Bureau

Case number

Trademark Application 73609 of 2021

Judge

Birungi Denis - Senior Registration Officer

The Registrar found that the applicant's marks, when assessed as a whole, are visually and phonetically distinguishable from the opponent's marks. The resemblance between the applicant's stylized 'M' and the opponent's heart-rayed device was not sufficient to create a likelihood of confusion, especially considering the color combinations and overall presentation. The goods, while both targeting baby care, fall into different NICE classes and serve different purposes, further reducing the risk of confusion. The applicant's mark was found to be sufficiently distinctive and not descriptive or co…

Source excerpt

• Trademark Registration
• Likelihood Of Confusion
• Distinctiveness
• Bad Faith In Trademark
• Permitted User
• Territoriality Principle

V.G Keshwala & Sons Limited v Nintendo Company Limited (Trademark Registration 56916 of 2016)

V.G Keshwala & Sons Limited v Nintendo Company Limited (Trademark Registration 56916 of 2016) [2023] UGRSB 12 (23 August 2023)

Court

Uganda Registration Services Bureau

Case number

Trademark Registration 56916 of 2016

Judge

Nyangoma Maria - Manager Trademarks and Geographical Indications

The opposition to registration of the mark POKEMON succeeded. The registrar found Nintendo had standing, the marks were identical, and registration would confuse consumers.

• Trademark Registration
• Well Known Marks
• Likelihood Of Confusion
• Distinctiveness
• International Conventions
• Remedies And Costs

United Breweries Limited v Rest Club One Limited

United Breweries Limited v Rest Club One Limited (Civil Suit 477 of 2020) [2023] UGCommC 98 (24 February 2023)

Court

Commercial Court of Uganda

Case number

Civil Suit 477 of 2020

Judge

Abinyo, J

The High Court dismissed a trademark infringement and passing off suit over CLUB 5 and CLUB One Premium Gin, finding no likelihood of confusion and no proven damage.

• Trademark Infringement
• Passing Off
• Likelihood Of Confusion
• Distinctiveness Of Marks
• Trademark-infringement
• Passing-off

Intel Corporation v Intel Computers Ltd

Intel Corporation v Intel Computers Ltd (Civil Suit No. 821 of 2019) [2022] UGCommC 90 (9 August 2022)

Court

Commercial Court of Uganda

Case number

Civil Suit No. 821 of 2019

Judge

Abinyo, J

The High Court dismissed Intel Corporation’s trademark infringement suit against Intel Computers Limited, finding no proven likelihood of confusion or infringement under the Trademarks Act.

• Trademark Infringement
• Company Name Disputes
• Likelihood Of Confusion
• Registration Requirements
• Remedies For Infringement
• Trademark-infringement

Richard Maize Millers Limited v Real Food Maize Millers Limited (Trademark Registration 46255 of 2014)

Richard Maize Millers Limited v Real Food Maize Millers Limited (Trademark Registration 46255 of 2014) [2021] UGRSB 1 (17 November 2021)

Court

Uganda Registration Services Bureau

Case number

Trademark Registration 46255 of 2014

Judge

Agaba Gilbert - Director Intellectual Property

The registrar expunged Trademark 46255 for RICHARDS after finding the respondent lacked legal capacity to own the mark and that it resembled an earlier registered mark for identical goods.

• Trademark Registration
• Likelihood Of Confusion
• Rectification Of Register
• Honest Concurrent Use
• Trademark-registration
• Likelihood-of-confusion