Ugandan Court Awards Shs16.7 Billion Over Copied Gumboot Design
Uganda's High Court Commercial Division has awarded Migoo Industrial and Trading Company Shs16.7 billion after finding that Rida International Industry (U) Ltd copied its gumboot design and passed its products off as Migoo's, the Daily Monitor reported on 8 October 2026. Justice Stephen Mubiru awarded Shs12.768 billion in special damages and Shs4 billion in general damages, and granted a permanent injunction.
The court found the two designs substantially identical in their ornamental features. It also found that Rida had removed its visible logo, even though its own market survey identified the logo as the main distinguishing feature, and that actual consumer confusion followed. Notably, both companies' industrial design registrations were revoked, yet Migoo won on passing off, according to reports.
The case shows that when a design registration fails for lack of novelty, goodwill-based claims can still protect a product's appearance.
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