Skit maker Oga Sabinus has allegedly sued Peak Milk for using his trademark phrase “Something hooge.”
In a pre-suit notice dated May 27 2022, and signed by his lead counsel Mr Stanley Alieke, the content creator demanded a payment of N500m for the alleged unauthorised use of his intellectual property and another 500m for damages for the “emotional, physical, psychological and mental trauma our client has suffered for the trademark theft and the infringement of his intellectual rights property”.
In the notice, the comedian pointed out that a company belonging to Peak Milk, Friesland Food Wamco Nigerian PLC, used his trademarked slogan “Something Hooge” to advertise and promote their product, Peak Milk.
He noted that the advert made on Peak Milk Nigeria’s verified Instagram @peak_milk on May 24 2020, used his slogan, which had been trademarked on November 26 2021, with the FILE NUMBER: NG/TM/O/2021/48316.
“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 legal notice read.
It continued, “The advert which was made on the Peak Milk Nigeria verified Instagram page (peak_milk) was posted on May 24 2022 which was used to promote the Peak National Breakfast Week.”
“It will interest you to know that the phrase ‘something hooge’, which was popularized by our client, has been trademarked and legally reserved as his intellectual property by the Federal Ministry of Trade and Investment.”
“The post gathered massive traffic, and engagements and attracted huge followership to your page which only happened because the picture of our client was used for the promotion and advert.”
The content creator also threatened legal action against UAC Food Ltd, the company that produces gala sausage, for using his likeness and other intellectual products to advertise their product.
Sabinus revealed that UAC Food @galasausage_roll on Instagram posted on May 23 2022 with his “picture”. He further noted that the post, which was his cartoon likeness, was captioned, “the way I calculate everything in my life”.
The notice to UAC Foods read dated May 25 read, “Your company UAC Food Ltd. has been using the brand picture and other intellectual properties of Sabinus to make adverts for your Gala sausage roll without the consent or authorisation of our clients.”
He gave both companies 14 working days to meet his demands or meet him in court.
In the last few weeks, Sabinus has remained in the limelight after winning the 2022 AMVCA for “Best Online Social Content Creator”. (Guardian)
