FAST-RISING Nigerian comedian and skit maker, Chukwuemeka Emmanuel, popularly known as Oga Sabinus, has requested for N1billion in damages from Friesland Foods Wamco Nigeria Plc over alleged infringement on his intellectual property.
Friesland Foods Wamco Nigeria Plc, manufacturer of Peak Milk and which included Peak Milk in an advert posted on Instagram on Tuesday, May 24, 2022, used the famous phrase 'something hooge' to promote their product.
Addressing the company through his lawyer, the skit maker demanded for the sum as compensation and damages.
The letter dated May 27 read, “Our client briefed us and we believe the same to be true that your company, Friesland Foods Wamco Nigeria Plc, used a trademarked slogan ‘Something Hooge’ for the promotion of your Peak Milk product.
“The advert which was made on the Peak Milk Nigeria verified Instagram page (peak_milk) was posted on the 24th day of May 2022 which was used to promote the Peak National Breakfast Week.
“It will interest you to know that the phrase ‘something hooge’, which was popularised by our client, has been trademarked and legally reserved as his intellectual property by the Federal Ministry of Trade and Investment.”
“The said slogan was trademarked on the 26th of November 2021 with the file number: NG/TM/O/2021/48316. 10. On this note, we make the demand for the payment of the sum of Five Hundred Million Naira (N500m) as compensation for the unauthorized use of the intellectual property belonging to our client.
“And another five hundred million Naira for damages for the trauma; emotional, physical, psychological, and mental trauma our client has suffered for the Trademark theft and infringement of his intellectual property rights.”
Sabinus has also demanded a sum of N100m from the makers of Gala sausage roll UAC foods, over unauthorised usage of his image in one of their adverts.
