YAHOO CAR EXPRESS SURL v. YAHOO CAR EXPRESS LTD

YAHOO CAR EXPRESS SURL v. YAHOO CAR EXPRESS LTD

Ngabo Jean Baptiste (Yahoo Car Express Ltd) registered the business name 'Yahoo Car Express' in Rwanda on 10/03/2003, preceding Karangirwa Célestin's registration in Burundi in 2005. Under Rwandan law, the first registrant has exclusive rights. Surl is prohibited from further use in Rwanda. Damages for lost business...

Source-derived case information.

Citation
RCOMA 0047/13/CS
Parties
Applicant: Yahoo Car Express Surl; Respondent: Yahoo Car Express Ltd
Court
Supreme Court
Jurisdiction
Rwanda
Judgment Date
4 February 2016
Case Number
RCOMA 0047/13/CS
Procedural Posture
Commercial Appeal / Final Judgment
Outcome
appeal dismissed in part, allowed in part
Legal Topics
Trademark Registration, Business Name Protection, Unfair Competition, Damages
Intellectual Property Commercial Law Trademark Registration Business Name Protection Unfair Competition Damages

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Parties

Yahoo Car Express Surl

Applicant

Yahoo Car Express Ltd

Respondent

Procedural Posture

Commercial Appeal / Final Judgment

  1. 1 Who has the right to use and register the business name and trademark 'Yahoo Car Express' in Rwanda and Burundi?
  2. 2 Are damages for loss of business justified?
  3. 3 Is Yahoo Car Express Surl entitled to use the trademark in Rwanda?

Ratio Decidendi

Ngabo Jean Baptiste (Yahoo Car Express Ltd) registered the business name 'Yahoo Car Express' in Rwanda on 10/03/2003, preceding Karangirwa Célestin's registration in Burundi in 2005. Under Rwandan law, the first registrant has exclusive rights. Surl is prohibited from further use in Rwanda. Damages for lost business are denied due to lack of evidence.

Court Disposition

appeal dismissed in part, allowed in part

Orders

  • Yahoo Car Express Surl prohibited from using the name or trademark 'Yahoo Car Express' in Rwanda.
  • Damages of 15,000,000 Frw previously awarded to Yahoo Car Express Ltd are revoked.