*Rite Foods Limited again, slams to legal action on Mamuda Beverages Nigeria Limited, Kano, over the latter’s Pop Power Energy Drink introduced into the Fast Moving Consumer Goods sector of the Nigerian economy

Isola Moses | 绿帽献妻

Citing alleged trademark infringement and product imitation, Rite Foods Limited, in Nigeria, again, has resorted to legal action, targeting Mamuda Beverages Nigeria Limited over the latter’s Pop Power Energy Drink.

绿帽献妻 gathered Rite Foods’ latest move bears semblance with a familiar pattern, when the company, in 2021, filed a similar suit against NBC鈥檚 Predator Energy Drink, which the Federal High Court dismissed as baseless.

However, such repeated lawsuits suggest a strategy of legal intimidation rather than fair market competition in the part of Rites Foods Limited, Vanguard report said.

Industry observers reportedly noted that Rite Foods appears threatened by rising competition, and has continued to use litigation to disrupt emerging players in the Fast Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG) sector in Nigeria.

Report also indicates Mamuda Beverages Nigeria Limited, a proudly Nigerian company based in Kano, Northern region, is widely respected for its ethical business standards and high-quality production.

The company’s Pop Power Energy Drink has earned strong consumer praise for its energising effect, attractive branding, and affordability, report stated.

Earlier, both companies had reached a mutual 4-point settlement agreement, not as an admission of guilt by Mamuda, but as a good-faith resolution.

The agreed terms included:

• Cap Color (Any color may be used except Yellow) 鈥� Current Cap 鈥淥live Green鈥�.
• Border lines (Any color may be used except Yellow) 鈥� Current border lines 鈥淲hite鈥�.
• Description (Any word may be used except Classic) Current description 鈥淥riginal鈥�.
• Bottle color (Any color may be used except Black or Gray) Current bottle color 鈥淥live Green鈥�.

It was learnt that Mamuda Beverages fully complied with the settlement, and packaging reviews confirm these conditions were met.

Rite Foods, however, resumed legal attacks, even though clear differences exist between the two bottles in design and structure.

A company spokesperson reportedly stated: 鈥淢amuda Beverages will not be bullied.

鈥淧op Power stands on its own merit, and Nigerian consumers recognise that.鈥�

Mamuda Beverages Nigeria Limited has full confidence in the Nigerian judicial system and trusts that the rule of law will prevail鈥攁ffirming its rights and protecting fair competition, report said.

This case raises a broader question: Should established brands be allowed to suppress competition?

Or should innovation, consumer choice, and ethical entrepreneurship be encouraged?

It is equally argued that Mamuda Beverages Nigeria Limited deserves respect鈥攏ot harassment鈥攆or its professional conduct and contributions to the development of Nigeria鈥檚 manufacturing sector.