Copyright Restraint on Firm

 A Federal High Court in Lagos Takes Action

In a decisive legal move, a Federal High Court in Lagos has taken action against Virony Nigeria Ltd, a prominent manufacturer of household products, sanitary items, and daily necessities. The court has granted a restraining order to prevent the company from using images of Nollywood actress, Mercy Johnson, to promote their extensive range of products.

Restraining Order and Product Seizure: Justice C.J Aneke Presides

Under the leadership of Justice C.J Aneke, the court has issued an injunction ordering the seizure and confiscation of all products bearing Mercy Johnson’s images, along with the video and sound recordings of the actress used by the company to endorse their products on various online platforms.

Background: Mercy Johnson’s Allegation: Infringement of Intellectual Property Rights

Mercy Johnson brought a lawsuit against the company, accusing them of infringing upon her intellectual property rights following the conclusion of their endorsement agreement signed in 2020. The contract, originally set to last for two years, came to an end in October 2022.

Ex Parte Application: Swift Legal Action by Mercy Johnson

While the primary lawsuit is still pending, Mercy Johnson, represented by her lawyer, Prince I. Nwafuru, the Managing Partner at The Law Suite in Lekki, Lagos, sought an ex parte order to prevent the company, its agents, and customers from continuing to violate her copyright and image rights by using her images and audiovisual content to promote their products.

Court’s Decision: In Favor of Mercy Johnson

Justice Aneke, after careful consideration of the application and submissions, has issued the following orders:

1. An Order of Interim Injunction prohibits the defendant, its members, officers, agents, distributors, customers, marketers, brand ambassadors, influencers, or anyone acting on behalf of the defendant, from using Mercy Johnson’s image, pictures, audiovisual content, video, and sound recordings to produce, manufacture, market, advertise, promote, or sell the defendant’s products pending the hearing and determination of the applicant’s Motion on Notice for an Interlocutory Injunction.
2. An Interim Order of Mandatory Injunction requires the seizure and confiscation of all products of the defendant bearing the images and pictures of Mercy Johnson, as well as all video and sound recordings of the actress used in advertising, promoting, and marketing the defendant’s products on social media platforms and the internet.

How Old Is Mercy Johnson? Mercy Johnson’s Age And Lots More

1. An Interim Order of Mandatory Injunction instructs the defendant and all platforms hosting the defendant’s social media pages and accounts to delete any materials, including but not limited to pictures, images, and sound and video recordings of Mercy Johnson and her children used in promoting the defendant’s products pending the hearing and determination of the Interlocutory Motion on Notice for Injunctions.
2. An Interim Order mandates any person selling, marketing, or dealing with the defendant’s products to remove from their shops, stores, and platforms any of the defendant’s products featuring Mercy Johnson’s pictures, images, and audiovisual recordings pending the determination of the Motion on Notice for an Interlocutory Injunction.
3. An Interim Order by the Court directs the Nigeria Police, including the Inspector General of Police, Assistant Inspector General of Police, the Commissioner of Police, Area Commander, Divisional Police Officer, and other security officers, to provide necessary protection and accompany Mercy Johnson or her manager and authorized agent to seize, detain, and preserve the infringing materials bearing the images, pictures, videos, and sounds of Mercy Johnson and her children pending the hearing and determination of the Motion on Notice for Interlocutory Injunctions.