The Nigerian Breweries Plc has stated its readiness to defend the legal action filed against the company, pledging to protect its legal rights as well as upholding its reputation.
This followed a recent publication in the media over copyright violation leveled against the pioneer and largest brewing company in Nigeria and its former Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer by one Mr. Paul Allen Oche through the Nigerian Copyright Commission.
The criminal action is pending at the Federal High Court, Abuja which was instituted since October, 2017, when Mr. Paul Allen Oche is laying a claim to the copyright supposedly contained in a book he “wrote” and which book has, as part of its title, the (Amste! Malta) trademark which is well known as one of the brands in the Company’s portfolio.
The details as follows:
Re: Government Sues Nigerian Breweries over Copyrights Violation
The attention of Nigerian Breweries Plc, (“the Company”), has been drawn to a recent publication in the media on the above subject. The Company hereby confirms that it is defending an action filed against it and its former Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Johan A. Doyer, by the Nigerian Copyright Commission. The criminal action is pending at the Federal High Court, Abuja.
The said action is not new as it was actually instituted in October, 2017, based on a complaint by one Mr. Paul Allen Oche, who is laying a claim to the copyright supposedly contained in a book he “wrote” and which book has, as part of its title, the Amste! Malta trademark which is well known as one of the brands in the Company’s portfolio.
The said Mr. Oche has subsequently filed a personal action with respect to the same issue, at the same Court claiming damages against the Company and others. The Company also confirms that it will be defending the action with a view to protecting its legal rights as well as upholding its reputation.
As a law abiding corporate citizen, we restate our respect for the laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and our commitment to seeing each court action through to its logical conclusion.
(tit/
Uaboi G. AGBEBAKU
Company Secretary/ Legal Director