Global sportswear giant PUMA SE has secured a major legal victory in Sri Lanka, obtaining four enjoining orders from the Commercial High Court of Colombo against suspected entities involved in the sale of counterfeit footwear.
The legal action, initiated by PUMA SE through its attorneys Sudath Perera Associates, targeted “SAFFANS”, “Saffans Mens Shoes Ltd.”, “Saffans Bridal Shoes Ltd.” and “Saffans Shoes Ltd.” under the Intellectual Property Act No. 36 of 2003.
The company alleged that these retailers were unlawfully selling counterfeit products bearing PUMA’s registered trademarks, including the globally recognised “PUMA” name, the iconic leaping cat logo, and the distinctive Form Strip.
In its pleadings, PUMA SE stressed that the defendants, as established footwear retailers, either knew or should have known that the goods were not genuine.
The company argued that the unauthorised use of its trademarks misled the public, exploited the brand’s international reputation, and caused substantial damage to PUMA’s goodwill.
PUMA also highlighted the inferior quality of the counterfeit items compared with its genuine products, which adhere to strict standards of manufacturing excellence.
After reviewing submissions, Judges Amali Ranaweera and Chamath Madanayake of the Commercial High Court issued enjoining orders prohibiting the defendants, along with their agents, employees, and representatives, from producing, importing, marketing, selling, or otherwise dealing in any merchandise bearing marks identical or confusingly similar to PUMA’s trademarks.
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