Puma case ‘on pause’

THE LANDMARK Puma trademark infringement case against Rihanna’s uncle Leroy Fitzgerald Brathwaite appears to be in a state of “limbo” almost two years after it was first lodged in the Magistrates’ Court.

And with the pending elevation of Chief Magistrate Christopher Birch to the Bench of the High Court, the attorney who is representing the international brand says it looks like there will be further delays until a replacement is identified and appointed.

“We are in a state of limbo waiting for officials to tell us what will happen next, but we fully hope the matters will proceed once these administrative issues have been resolved,” attorney for Puma, Mark Hope, said.

It was in November 2017 that Rihanna’s uncle, 55-year-old Leroy Fitzgerald Brathwaite, of 1st Avenue, Goddings Road, Station Hill, St Michael, who used to go by the stage name Daddy I-Roy, but has more recently styled himself De Warrior, was charged that in trade or in commerce as a supplier, on May 29, 2017, he falsely represented that 11 pairs of slippers and 13 T-shirts were of a particular standard, style or model, to wit, the brand Puma, contrary to the Consumer Protection Act Cap 326D.

He also denied that in trade or commerce, he engaged in conduct, to wit, exposed for sale goods bearing the trademark known as Puma which would mislead the public as to the nature of the goods.

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