adminHIGHLANDERS stand to benefit financially from the sale of merchandise with the club’s emblems following registration of 10 trademarks associated with the 90-year-old Bulawayo based football club.
Mgcini Mpofu, the Highlanders vice-chairman said the club had managed to complete the process which was done in 2007 but was never finished and then resumed in 2013.
According to Mpofu, the registration which was handled by legal practitioners was done with the Registrar General’s office in Harare at a cost of about $3 000.
The brands which have been exclusively formalised by Highlanders are Amahlolanyama, Highlanders FC, Siyinqaba, Bosso, Bossolona, Tshilamoya, Ngenkani, Cry Mantengwane, Ezikamagebhula and the logo with the shield together with the inscription 1926.
“The process was initially done in 2007 but never concluded until the law firm which was dealing with that closed the files. We started the process in 2013 and we have now concluded just waiting for the certificates that might come anytime from January onwards,’’ said Mpofu.
“That means these are now registered trademarks which are internationally protected and anyone using these names to market his or her products can be prosecuted in any court of law.
“You have to get consent from the club to use these names and we will now have the power to get those who illegally print regalia arrested and charged.’’
Highlanders have for years watched as individuals took advantage of their club popularity by making counterfeit regalia whose sale has not benefited the club financially.
While the club occasionally pounced on those selling the counterfeit regalia, they could only confiscate the stuff and let the culprits go scot free.
The registration of the trademarks is expected to bring that to an end as Bosso is now empowered to have such individuals prosecuted.
Online Reporter
derick.khumalo