[2023] UGRSB 12

[2023] UGRSB 12

The Assistant Registrar found that Nintendo Company Limited, as the opponent, had locus standi to object to the registration of the 'POKEMON' trademark in Uganda, despite not having prior registration in Uganda, because Uganda is a party to the Paris Convention and the opponent satisfied the requirements of Section...

Source-derived case information.

Citation
[2023] UGRSB 12
Parties
Applicant: V. G Keshwala and Sons Limited; Respondent: Nintendo Company Limited
Court
Uganda Registration Services Bureau
Jurisdiction
Uganda
Case Number
Trademark Registration 56916 of 2016
Procedural Posture
Trademark Opposition / Decision on Opposition to Registration
Outcome
opposition upheld; application for registration refused
Judges
Nyangoma Maria - Manager Trademarks and Geographical Indications
Legal Topics
Trademark Registration, Well Known Marks, Likelihood of Confusion, Distinctiveness, International Conventions, Remedies and Costs
Source Language
en
Intellectual Property Trademark Registration Well Known Marks Likelihood of Confusion Distinctiveness International Conventions Remedies and Costs

Source-derived case record

Summary, issues, holding and outcome

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Parties

V. G Keshwala and Sons Limited

Applicant

Nintendo Company Limited

Respondent

Procedural Posture

Trademark Opposition / Decision on Opposition to Registration

  1. 1 Whether the opponent has the right to object to the registration of Trademark No 56916, 'POKEMON'.
  2. 2 Whether there is a likelihood of confusion between 'POKEMON' and 'POKEMON'.
  3. 3 Whether Trademark No 56916 'POKEMON' offends Section 9, Section 23, and Section 44 of the Trademarks Act 2010.

Ratio Decidendi

The Assistant Registrar found that Nintendo Company Limited, as the opponent, had locus standi to object to the registration of the 'POKEMON' trademark in Uganda, despite not having prior registration in Uganda, because Uganda is a party to the Paris Convention and the opponent satisfied the requirements of Section 44 of the Trademarks Act 2010. The evidence demonstrated that 'POKEMON' is a well-known mark with global recognition, and the opponent had undertaken to register the mark in Uganda within the required period. The marks in question were found to be visually and phonetically identical, likely to cause confusion among consumers, and the applicant had not shown prior use or...

Court Disposition

opposition upheld; application for registration refused

Orders

  • The opposition by Nintendo Company Limited succeeds.
  • Trademark Registration No. 56916 'POKEMON' by V. G Keshwala and Sons Limited is refused.