Prof. Patrick Ogwang Applies For Covidex Trademark Ownership

Posted by: Kyeyune Andrew Jonathan in Uganda news July 12, 2021

Mr. Patrick Ogwang is a professor at Mbarara University of Science and Technology (MUST). He recently filed a trademark application at Uganda Registration Services Bureau (URSB) for Covidex.

This is according to a Gazette notice that The Uganda Gazette published.

Trademarks are issues on a first come first serve basis. Jena Herbals Uganda Limited owned by Prof. Ogwang filed the application on June 26, 2021, following an incident with the University.

Mbarara University also claims ownership of the supplementary herbal remedy in the treatment process of Covid-19.

A city lawyer, Jamina Apio of the Apio, Byabazaire, Musanase and Company Advocates, says Mbarara University still has a fighting chance.

‘’A party may oppose the registration of a trademark within 60 days of the date of advertisement in the Gazette by serving a notice of opposition, in duplicate, stating the grounds for opposition. The registrar will then cause the opposition to be served on the applicant. An applicant is offered 42 days from the date of receipt of the notice of opposition to respond by counter-statement, laying out the grounds supporting their application,’’ Apio noted.

She further said regarding evidence, they require the opponent to provide by way of statutory declaration supporting their opposition. They should, however, do this within 42 days of receipt of the counter-statement.

Jena Herbals says Prof. Ogwang developed the drug as a private innovation while the university claims the drug is a product of its project.

Apparently, Prof. Ogwang can’t take full ownership of the drug according to Lawyer George William Alenyo.

This is because he and his colleagues developed the drug using government funds at MUST.

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