[2006] UGCommC 55

[2006] UGCommC 55

The court found that the applicants had established serious triable issues regarding trademark infringement and passing off, as the goods in question bore the KIWI mark and were alleged to be counterfeit. The status quo was that the goods were held by Uganda Revenue Authority, and there was insufficient evidence to...

Source-derived case information.

Citation
[2006] UGCommC 55
Parties
Applicant: Kiwi European Holdings B.V.; Applicant: Sara Lee Household & Body Care (K) Ltd; Defendant: Djawoto Arua
Court
Commercial Court of Uganda
Jurisdiction
Uganda
Case Number
High Court Miscellaneous Application No. 457 of 2006
Procedural Posture
Miscellaneous Application / Ruling on Application for Temporary Injunction
Outcome
application allowed
Legal Topics
Trademark Infringement, Passing Off, Interlocutory Injunctions, Counterfeit Goods
Source Language
en
Commercial and Corporate Intellectual Property Trademark Infringement Passing Off Interlocutory Injunctions Counterfeit Goods

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Parties

Kiwi European Holdings B.V.

Applicant

Sara Lee Household & Body Care (K) Ltd

Applicant

Djawoto Arua

Defendant

Procedural Posture

Miscellaneous Application / Ruling on Application for Temporary Injunction

  1. 1 Whether the applicants have established a prima facie case for the grant of a temporary injunction restraining the respondent from dealing with the alleged counterfeit KIWI shoe polish pending the main suit.
  2. 2 Whether the applicants would suffer irreparable injury not compensable by damages if the injunction is not granted.
  3. 3 Whether the balance of convenience favors the grant of a temporary injunction to the applicants.

Ratio Decidendi

The court found that the applicants had established serious triable issues regarding trademark infringement and passing off, as the goods in question bore the KIWI mark and were alleged to be counterfeit. The status quo was that the goods were held by Uganda Revenue Authority, and there was insufficient evidence to confirm they were destined solely for the Democratic Republic of Congo. The applicants demonstrated that the release of the goods into the market could irreparably harm their business reputation and goodwill, which are not easily compensable by damages. The court held that the balance of convenience favored the applicants, as they stood to suffer more harm than the respondent...

Court Disposition

application allowed

Orders

  • A temporary injunction is issued restraining the respondent, his servants, or agents from clearing, disposing of, selling or otherwise dealing in or with the KIWI shoe polish the subject of H.C.C.S No. 0391 of 2006 pending final determination of the suit.
  • Costs of this application shall be in the cause of the main suit.