URSB, Police raid Uganda Cricket Association after court order over copyright infringement

The Uganda Registration Services Bureau together with Uganda Police have invaded Uganda Cricket Association (UCA) offices in Lugogo and impounded a number of tools the association has been using to infringe the copyright of Dafabet Uganda Limited.

The midmorning raid  and saw several computers, laptops and other materials taken away following a court order issued against the association.

The development followed a court order issued on October 20, 2021 after Dafabet Uganda Limited sued the

association and applied for an interim order stopping the continued violation of its copyright by the association.

“It is hereby ordered that the respondents (UCA) permits the applicant (Dafabet U Ltd) to enter on its main business premises/offices at Lugogo Stadium, Plot 2-10 Coronation Avenue or in each of its premises branches; permits the inspection of all computers, hard drives, laptops, stores, media platforms, accounts, documents, materials or articles relating to the alleged infringement of the applicant’s trademark,” reads in part the

court order issued by Justice Stephen Mubiru of the High Court Commercial Division.

“The applicant removes the equipment, items, copies, photographs, computers, hard drives or such other materials that contain the said trademark together with any or all stock or products including but not limited to adverts and campaign material and any records relating to the use or sale of the services obtained from the said trademark which constitute or would constitute evidence in the trail of the main action.”

Among the items seized were several Computers, laptops, advertizing other materials.

The case arose in September this year when Uganda Cricket Association held a tournament dubbed “Dafabet Pearl of Africa T20 Series,” which was widely publicized without the consent or authorization of Dafabet Uganda Ltd – the copyright owners.

It is alleged that during the said period, Dafabet Uganda Ltd businesses received a series of alerts, links and shares making reference to the online betting and the games on its trademark Dafabet.

“Dafabet avers and confirms that it neither endorsed, sponsored nor consented to the use of its trademark or tradename by the defendants (Cricket Association) or its sponsors and affiliates and the illegal use of its trademark has led to substantial confusion in the market and dilution of its business,” Dafabet lawyers of Apio

Byabazaire, Musanase and Co. Advocates state on behalf of the Company in their suit at the Commercial Court.