Sri Lankan tea firm files copyright case

The brand owners of ‘Zahra Tea’ recently filed action against several companies for copying their registered trademark and attempting to export counterfeit products to Libya.

‘Zahra Tea’ has over the years become well known around the world, specially in Libya and the Middle East for its unique quality.
The plaintiff claims that its products has by its extensive use become distinctive of the plaintiff and is identified and recognised by the public and the trade.

The registered brand owner of “Zahra Tea” Zahra Exports Private Limited filed three separate actions in the Magistrate Courts of Colombo recently against Almar Teas (Pvt) Ltd, Consolidated Business Systems Ltd and Sunrose Teas Private Ltd through their legal representatives, Sudath Perera Associates.

The actions were filed under and in terms of the intellectual Property Act No 36 of 2003 for willfully infringing the trademark rights of the plaintiff by forging the plaintiffs trademark. ‘Zahra Tea’ and applying the marks ‘ZAHRAA TEA’ ‘Sara Tea’ and ‘ALZAHRAA TEA’ by the three accused, respectively.