 |
 |
 |
The Commercial Case Law Index is a collection of judgments from African countries on topics relating to commercial legal practice. The collection aims to provide a snapshot of commercial legal practice in a country, rather than present solely traditionally "reportable" cases. The index currently covers 400 judgments from Uganda, Tanzania, Nigeria, Ghana and South Africa.
Get started on finding judgments that are relevant to you by browsing the topic list on the left of the screen. Click the arrows next to the topic names to reveal a detailed list of sub-topics. Most judgments are accompanied by a short summary written by subject-matter expert postgraduate students from the University of Cape Town.
Techno Telecom Ltd v Kigalo Investments Ltd (MISCELLANEOUS CAUSE NO.0017 OF 2011) [2011] UGCOMMC 112 (28 November 2011); 
CL Index Trademark Infringement Intellectual Property LawIn this case, the court considered the capacity (locus standi) and tests for making an application, under ss 45 and 46 the Trademarks Act.
In this case, the competitors were trading in respect of goods in class 9 (phones and other electronic goods). The court determined whether the applicant (a registered owner of the trademark TECNO in Hong Kong) had the locus standi to challenge registration of the trademark TECNO in Uganda. The court applied the rule that an agent of an owner of a registered mark in a Paris Convention member country had such capacity and held that the applicant had the capacity.
The court observed that the trademarks of the litigants were identical in terms of wording and in respect of the same goods. The court applied the rule that the mere adoption of a mark without bona fide use does not create trademark rights. The court noted that the respondent was using the mark for illegal purposes such as counterfeiting and passing off. Accordingly, the court ordered that the trademark be removed for non–use as per s 46 of the Trademarks Act.
Jimmy Mukasa Vs. Tropical Investments Ltd & 3 Ors (Civil Suit No. 232 OF 2007) ((Civil Suit No. 232 OF 2007)) [2011] UGCOMMC 11 (14 April 2011); CL Index Res Judicata Principles Civil Procedure