Zebra trademark dispute far from over

BOITUMELO KHUTSAFALO
Staff Writer | Friday August 26, 2011 00:00

The battle for the disputed Zebra trademark, which appeared on the Zebras' kit might drag on for a long time following All Kasi's alleged refusal to bow to demands of the registered owner, Tumisang Keitseng.

In one of the demands sent through her lawyers, Tengo Rubadiri Attorneys, Keitseng had requested all the parties involved, All Kasi, a Chinese warehouse Y & C and Botswana Football Association (BFA) to surrender clothing materials for destruction. Following the demands, Keitseng told Mmegi Sport yesterday that the Chinese warehouse surrendered their materials bearing the mark including Bandanas and hats. She also revealed that the warehouse has also provided invoices for all the sales they have made through the materials bearing the Zebra mark. 'We are currently looking at those invoices to see what we can do,' she said.  

In their response to the letter of demand by Keitseng, BFA responded by distancing themselves from the dispute.

BFA president, David Fani informed Keitseng's lawyers that after receiving the letter, they sought clarification from All Kasi who reiterated that they dispute Keitseng's entitlement to the emblem. According to the BFA letter to Keitseng, All Kasi said it intends to apply for the de-registration of the mark. 'With specific reference to your demands, we advise that the manufacture, supply and distribution of apparel bearing Zebra mark has been and continues to be the responsibility of All Kasi.

Botswana Football Association has not been involved in the sale of any apparel bearing the Zebra mark.

The use of apparel by the national teams does not in itself give rise to profits accruing by the Botswana Football Association and the BFA is consequently unable to give any account of profits derived from the use of apparel bearing the Zebra mark,' Fani said in the letter. He also said BFA will not use any playing kits bearing the mark until the matter has been resolved between Keitseng and All Kasi.

Keitseng revealed yesterday that in a meeting they had with All Kasi earlier this month, the Zebras technical sponsor had made it clear that they would not release any stock as demanded by Keitseng.

She said the meeting was the last time the two parties discussed the issue. She said she would take further steps although she could not reveal the action. The national team wore a kit with a different trademark when it played Kenya in a friendly match at the UB Stadium on August 8.