Trademark Tussle: Rite Foods Drags Mamuda Beverages to Court Over N1.6 Billion Energy Drink Dispute

The Energy Drink Trademark War that Shook Nigeria’s Beverage Industry

In a legal battle that spotlighted the fierce competition in Nigeria’s growing energy drink market, Rite Foods Limited, the indigenous manufacturer of the Bigi and Fearless range of drinks, in 2021 filed a high-profile N1.6 billion lawsuit against Mamuda Beverages Nigeria Limited, the makers of Pop Cola and other drinks under the Pop brand. The case, filed at the Federal High Court in Lagos, revolved around alleged trademark infringement and unfair competition concerning the “Fearless” energy drink trademark.

The Allegations: Rite Foods, renowned for pioneering the “Fearless” brand of energy drinks in Nigeria, claimed that Mamuda Beverages had infringed upon its registered trademark by launching a similar-looking product with strikingly similar branding. According to the plaintiff, Mamuda’s own energy drink allegedly bore “confusingly identical” visuals, logo stylization, and market messaging—elements Rite Foods argued were designed to deliberately mislead consumers and piggyback on its brand equity.

The plaintiff sought not only N1.6 billion in damages for loss of market share and goodwill but also a court order restraining Mamuda Beverages from continued use of the contested branding and packaging.

Market Dynamics: At the time, the Nigerian energy drink market was experiencing significant growth, with increased consumption among youths, athletes, and urban professionals. The launch of locally-produced energy drinks like Fearless, which gained rapid popularity due to aggressive marketing and affordability, signaled a shift from imported brands to domestic alternatives. Mamuda, originally a major player in the edible oil and plastics space, had only recently diversified into the beverage sector and was positioning Pop Cola and its energy drinks as major contenders.

Courtroom Drama: The courtroom exchange was intense. Rite Foods presented a detailed breakdown of its marketing expenditure, brand recognition surveys, and packaging timeline to support its claims. The company’s lawyers accused Mamuda of capitalizing on the goodwill it had painstakingly built, while Mamuda’s legal team denied all allegations, insisting that its product identity was original and legally distinct.

Reflection and Industry Lessons: Though the final judgment was not immediately delivered to the public at the time, the suit became a defining moment in the Nigerian FMCG and branding sector. It underscored the importance of intellectual property protection in a competitive market where product design, branding, and consumer perception are vital business assets.

The clash between two Nigerian companies also spurred discussions about the need for faster IP adjudication processes, stronger brand differentiation, and clearer regulatory oversight in Nigeria’s beverage market.

In retrospect, the energy drink trademark war between Rite Foods and Mamuda Beverages was more than a courtroom spat—it was a reflection of how branding battles can determine not just market share, but the trajectory of emerging Nigerian enterprises.

While both companies continue to coexist in the market, the echoes of this legal clash serve as a cautionary tale and a business case study on brand protection, market rivalry, and the evolving landscape of Nigeria’s consumer goods industry.

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