LAGOS/Nigeria: Jigsimur Plus Nigeria Limited says it has commenced steps to challenge an administrative ruling by the Patents and Designs Registry, Abuja, concerning the ownership and use of a disputed label and bottle design.
The company disclosed this in a public notice issued through its legal representatives and dated September 4, 2026, following the Registry’s ruling in a dispute involving Jigsimur Plus Nigeria Limited, Jigsimur SA (Pty) Ltd and Cleansimur International Ltd.
The Registry’s Administrative Panel Division had ruled on September 2 that Jigsimur Plus should alter the disputed industrial design, stop producing or selling products under the design and remove the name “JIGSIMUR” from Industrial Design Number NG/DS/NT/O/2025/4804.
The panel also directed that another industrial design, identified as “Cleansimur Health Drink Label on Bottle Design” and bearing registration number NG/DS/NT/O/2025/5718, should proceed to registration.
However, Jigsimur Plus has rejected any suggestion that the Registry’s decision represents a final judicial determination of the dispute.
In its response, the company described the decision as an administrative ruling and maintained that it was reached without adequate consideration of what it described as relevant facts, documents and legal rights.
Jigsimur Plus said it had instructed its lawyers to challenge the decision before the Federal High Court and pursue the appropriate legal remedies.
The company also said it intended to seek orders capable of preserving the parties’ positions while the legal process continues.
It urged the public, customers, distributors and business partners not to interpret the Registry’s decision as a final judgment of the Federal High Court or another superior court.
“The said ruling is an administrative decision of the Patents and Designs Registry and does not constitute a final and conclusive determination of the parties’ rights by a Court of competent jurisdiction,” the company said in the notice.
The company further appealed to the media and members of the public to exercise caution in reporting the dispute, particularly against portraying the matter as having been conclusively resolved.
Jigsimur Plus said it remained committed to protecting what it described as its lawful interests and would pursue the matter through the appropriate judicial channels.
The September 2 ruling followed a petition filed by Jigsimur SA Pty Ltd and Cleansimure International Ltd over the registration of the disputed design by Jigsimur Plus.
Reports of the Registry’s decision said the panel found that the disputed design was registered in bad faith and directed Jigsimur Plus to alter the design, cease production and sales under the disputed design and remove the “JIGSIMUR” name.
The Registry gave the company 30 calendar days from the ruling to comply with the orders, failing which the disputed design could be expunged from the Register of Industrial Designs.
The latest response from Jigsimur Plus therefore means that the dispute is not being presented by the company as concluded, with the firm indicating that it intends to seek judicial determination of the issues.
