A top actor in the Nigerian movie industry, Richard Mofe Damijo, popularly known as RMD, has instructed his lawyer, Mena Ajakpovi of Messrs Abraham & Co to file a lawsuit against Nigeria’s top e-commerce company, Jumia.
RMD is claiming that Jumia used his image on its platform without authorisation.
The former Delta State Commissioner pointed out that Jumia used his picture to promote their fashion store without his approval.
An aide to RMD said in a statement that the unauthorized use of the actor’s image has been on-going and has had the effect of portraying to unsuspecting customers that Jumia enjoys the patronage of or endorsement of RMD.
RMD is a well-known brand ambassador for various companies and his image has been widely and regularly used for product placement in a variety of platforms, the aide said, adding that, RMD has always jealously guarded his image and has been meticulous about the type of products and services associated therewith.
It was claimed that Jumia’s unilateral and unauthorized use of RMD’s image for the advancement of its products and website has undoubtedly enhanced Jumia’s brand awareness and created a buzz about Jumia’s fashion line at the expense of RMD.
It was learnt that though RMD made efforts to seek redress with Jumia, but their response has allegedly been defiant and unapologetic.
They admitted that they had taken the images from the actor’s page but that it was not an infringement of his copyright since the image was on a public Instagram platform, the aide claimed.
This is even though they are using the image to promote their online fashion trade on their website page! They offered to take the page down but have shown neither remorse nor offered any conciliatory compensation!
The ‘Terms of Use’ of Instagram as stated on their website clearly prohibits Jumia from taking RMD’s pictures and using same to conduct its fashion business.
Their defiance has left the ace actor with no alternative but to instruct his lawyers to sue JUMIA for punitive and exemplary damages for the infringement of his image rights.
