Safaricom, Airtel fail to agree on a deal over trademark dispute
Bob Collymore, the CEO of Safaricom, which has been named the "Best Managed Company" in Kenya by market analysts Euromoney Magazine. FILE PHOTO | NATION MEDIA GROUP
Two mobile operators have failed to reach an agreement in a trademark dispute over the use of money transfer service advertising and promotion materials.
Safaricom and Airtel Kenya on Wednesday told Justice Francis Gikonyo that the out-of-court settlement that they were pursuing had failed and that they were willing to have the dispute resolved by the court.
In the dispute, Safaricom claims Airtel Kenya is using a trademark identical to its M-Pesa logo.
Safaricom said Airtel is riding on its goodwill and extensive marketing of M-Pesa, which has recorded considerable growth and has a commanding lead over Airtel Money.
The M-Pesa trademark has a reputation in 85,756 retail outlets providing mobile money transfer services.
The judge extended orders barring Airtel Kenya from using the material until the case is concluded.
He also directed the parties to file their court papers.
The case will be heard on September 9.
