Ralph Lauren Outlets In Mauritius Closed Over Trademark Dispute

by Lorys Charalambous, for LawAndTax-News.com, Cyprus

17 February 2004

According to reports, hundreds of Ralph Lauren outlets in Mauritius have been closed down after the US fashion firm was granted an injunction preventing the shops from using its trademark.

The trademark dispute stems from a 1992 decision by the Mauritian customs department to allow local firm, Aurdally Brothers to register the Ralph Lauren name and "polo player on horseback" logo.

The Aurdally Brothers then granted permission to another firm, Captain Tasman, to produce merchandise under their license. Following complaints from Ralph Lauren in 2000, the license was not renewed, and the mark was removed from the trademark register.

In effect this meant, however, that not even Ralph Lauren held the rights to its trademark in Mauritius, a loophole which retailers were quick to exploit.

At the end of January this year, the US fashion giant was granted a temporary injunction by the Supreme Court, which has led to the shutting down of the fashion outlets. However, speaking to the international media, representatives of the affected clothing manufacturers and retailers argued that the industry had been established and maintained within the bounds of legality.

"Everything was done in the legal form at that time and according to the law in our country," Captain Tasman director, Ajay Beegoo explained.

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