ANNE NJEMANZE LOSES DOMITTILA TRADEMARK ACTION TO ZEB EJIRO

On Thursday, May 4, a trademark tribunal sitting at the Trademark offices in Abuja revoked actress Anne Njemanze's trademark registration and application for Domittila.

"Domitilla" is the title of a 1996 film directed by Zeb Ejiro and starring Njemanze as the major character. Njemanze, on the other hand, registered the name "Domitilla and Device" as a trademark on September 16, 2020.

Ejiro, through his legal team led by Mr Rockson Igelige, sought the registry to oppose Njemanze's alleged registration of the brand "Domitila and Device." He stated that the trademark has been in use since 1946 in connection with films and matters falling under class 41 of Nigeria's Register of Trademarks.

It was established that Njemanze was hired and paid by Zeb Ejiro to appear in his films "Domitilla" and "Domitilla 2," and she was also aware of the petitioner's past and continuing use of the name since 1996.

Shafiu Adamu Yauri, Chief Registrar, who ruled on the application filed by veteran filmmaker Zeb Ejiro over the rightful ownership of the brand "Domitilla," cancelled Annie Njemanze's registration and application for Domitilla as a trademark on the grounds that it was issued to her by the commission in error.