By Seyi Fadoro
The Fadaella Oat Milk , has raised the alarm over alleged infringement of its patents design by suspected individuals.
This was even as the company vowed to engage appropriate relevant authorities and legal means to clamp down on any firm or individuals found culpable of infringing on its registered design.
The company was incorporated July 4, 2018, under the Nigerian Law, Searites Global Services Ltd imports various products under the trade name mark Fadaella.
But the company’s most popular brand Fadaella Oat Milk, approved by the National Agency for Foods and Drug Administration Control (NAFDAC), with registration number D1- 8645 dated 12 February 2019, is allegedly being duplicated by some identified brands.
In a release signed by the company’s lawyer, Mr Kayode Fasetire and made available to journalists, the company alleged that some individuals have been importing the product under the trade name of Kelita and Kelifa Oat Milk, and Real Choco Oat Milk.
Fasetire noted that the design and package were “so similar to that of Fadaella”, adding that members of the public cannot distinguish Searites product Fadaella Oat Milk from other brands such as Kalifa, Real Choco amongst others.
The statement reads: “Searites Global Services Ltd, a company incorporated under Nigerian Law on the 4th day of July 2018, the company imports various products into the country under the trade name mark Fadaella, with the most popular of the products being Fadaella Oat milk is also registered with the National Agency for Foods and Drug Administration Control (NAFDAC) with registration no D1- 8645 dated 12/02/19.
“Unfortunately some unscrupulous persons have been importing the product under the trade name of Kelita and Kelifa Oat Milk, and real Choco Oat Milk but with a design and package so similar to that of Fadaella to amount to passing off, as members of the public cannot distinguish Searites product Fadaella from the other products such as Kalifa, Real Choco etc.”
The statement said NAFDAC recently raided Oke-Arin and Ebute-Ero markets on Lagos Island, where it impounded cartons of alleged “fake design products from Messrs Ifeanyi Prince, Chinonso Anyaogu and Emmanuel Egwuatu shops.”
It added that the stores are currently under lock and key until investigations are completed.
“Recently, NAFDAC carried out a raid at Oke Arin market and Ebute Ero markets area of Lagos Island, and seized cartons of the fake design products from Messrs Ifeanyi Prince, Chinonso Anyaogu and Emmanuel Egwuatu. Their shops were also locked up, pending further investigation.
“NAFDAC and the Managing Director of Searites Global Services Ltd hereby served notice to all importers, retailers and to all members of the public that its design for Fadaella Oat Milk is registered with the patents design and Trademarks registry of the Federal Ministry of Trade and Investment and any infringement henceforth will be severely dealt with.