IGOTO Industries Limited, a leading manufacturer of premium brass ecclesiastical products, has issued a formal warning against the unauthorized reproduction, manufacture, importation, distribution, sale, imitation, and commercial exploitation of products that reproduce or are substantially similar to its registered industrial designs. The company, registered as RC 8717937, holds exclusive statutory rights to commercially exploit its designs and prevent unauthorized use. IGOTO Industries has operated in the church-goods sector for 45 years and has designed and manufactured premium products for over 18 years.
The company's industrial design rights cover the distinctive visual appearance, configuration, and ornamentation of its registered designs, including the “FRUITFUL VINE” design. IGOTO Industries stressed that reproduction of a registered design does not become lawful merely because the reproduced design differs from the registered design in minor or inessential respects. The company referred to provisions of the Patents and Designs Act, which gives the registered owner the right to prevent specified commercial acts, including reproduction of the design in the manufacture of a product and the importation, sale, or commercial use of a product reproducing the design.
IGOTO Industries has become aware of instances involving the unauthorized reproduction and commercial exploitation of products that appear substantially similar to its registered designs. The company takes intellectual property infringement seriously and would take appropriate steps whenever unauthorized use is identified. IGOTO Industries maintains comprehensive documentary records covering the conception, development, production, and registration of all its designs and reserves all rights arising from them.
The company issued a formal legal warning, stating that no person or entity has been authorized to reproduce, manufacture, import, sell, distribute, market, or otherwise commercially exploit products reproducing any of its registered industrial designs, except with the company’s prior written authorization or where otherwise permitted by applicable law. IGOTO Industries advised manufacturers, fabricators, artisans, distributors, wholesalers, retailers, procurement officers, and other commercial operators to conduct appropriate intellectual property enquiries before manufacturing, procuring, importing, distributing, or selling products that reproduce any of its registered designs.
IGOTO Industries warned that any person or entity who, without its prior written authorization, uses the company’s registered trademarks or any confusingly similar mark; reproduces, imitates, copies, manufactures, imports, distributes, markets, or sells products embodying or substantially similar to the company’s registered industrial designs; passes off counterfeit or imitation products as genuine IGOTO products; or otherwise infringes the company’s intellectual property rights, may face legal proceedings and other remedies available under applicable Nigerian law.
The company will continue investing in original design, craftsmanship, and product development while actively monitoring the marketplace for unauthorized use of its intellectual property. IGOTO Industries will take legal and enforcement measures as may be available to it under applicable law where infringement or other unlawful use is established. The company issued an advisory to churches, distributors, retailers, procurement officers, and members of the public to purchase genuine IGOTO products only through authorized IGOTO channels or duly authorized representatives.
IGOTO Industries advised buyers to verify product authenticity before making purchases, noting that genuine IGOTO products bear the mark “IGOTO®,” signature packaging, and/or an authenticity mark. The company also asked members of the public to report suspected counterfeit or imitation products to IGOTO Industries Limited immediately for verification and action. For verification, authorization, and enquiries, the company provided its contact details: IGOTO INDUSTRIES LIMITED, Lagos, Nigeria, Telephone: +234 909 634 8644 | +234 806 663 0507, Email: [email protected], Instagram/TikTok: @igotoindustries, Facebook: IGOTO Industries Limited.
Key points
- IGOTO Industries Limited has issued a formal warning against the unauthorized reproduction of its registered industrial designs.
- The company's industrial design rights cover the distinctive visual appearance, configuration, and ornamentation of its registered designs.
- IGOTO Industries will take legal and enforcement measures against unauthorized use of its intellectual property.
