Firm rejects ₦100m compensation in ₦10b trademark dispute with Chinese company

Nigrshine Industries Limited has rejected a ₦100 million compensation offer in its ₦10 billion trademark infringement battle with Aokete Lighting Electronics Industries Limited, a Chinese firm, stating that the amount is inadequate.

The Trademark Tribunal sitting in Abuja, which is handling the dispute, has now given both parties until March 4, 2025, to reach a settlement or face a verdict.

During the hearing in Abuja, Tribunal Chairman Shafiu Yauri warned against further delays, stressing that the case must be resolved soon.

The tribunal convened to hear an update on the settlement process between Ugochukwu Emmanuel, the registered owner of D&B AKT Brands of Electric Lighting Bulbs in Nigeria, and Chen Xiao Ming, a Chinese national accused of trademark forgery.

The dispute began when Emmanuel alleged that Ming and his Nigerian associates forged a certificate of registration to infringe on his brand’s trademark.

The legal battle has been ongoing since 2019, with previous attempts at resolution failing. A recent settlement discussion saw the respondents offering ₦100 million in compensation, a figure the claimant dismissed as inadequate.

Representing the claimant, senior lawyer Femi Falana (SAN) dismissed the ₦100 million offer as unreasonable.

“Offering to pay ₦100 million out of ₦10 billion shows they are not serious about settlement. Since 2019, they have used delay tactics. The respondents even secured a court order in China preventing the claimant from operating there, and now he cannot operate in Nigeria either,” Falana argued.

The respondents, represented by Suleiman Usman (SAN), stated that they would only pay if the case was withdrawn.

“What we got from our client is that if the claimant withdraws the complaint, we will pay ₦100 million,” Usman said.

After heated arguments, both parties requested more time for negotiation, but the tribunal made it clear that a verdict would be delivered if no settlement was reached by the deadline.