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Safaricom sued over ‘Okoa Stima’ as IT firm claims trademark ownership
Kenya Power MD Ben Chumo. Residents of Kibera are facing increased pressure from cartels who illegally sell power following the launch of a project by Kenya Power to rid the area of unscrupulous dealers. PHOTO | DIANA NGILA | NATION MEDIA GROUP
What you need to know:
- Colour Planet’s Anthony Chege Wanaruah claimed he is the proprietor of the trademark.
- He claimed that it was resolved in a November 2013 meeting with Kenya Power Managing Director Ben Chumo that the two firms would partner only if Colour Planet got financial backing from a bank.
- He claimed KCB bank had agreed to implement the concept.
- High Court judge Francis Gikonyo directed Safaricom to respond to the suit.
An information technology (IT) solutions firm on Wednesday sued Safaricom over the name of a soft-loan facility for electricity consumers, known as Okoa Stima.
Colour Planet claims it registered the “Okoa Stima” trademark name with the Kenya Industrial Properties Institute in May, and that the mobile communications company has violated its ownership rights by using a similar name.
