The Anti-Counterfeit Authority has urged businesswoman Shiquo wa Hii Style to develop her own fashion brand while complying with Kenya's intellectual property rules amid an ongoing investigation.
The Anti-Counterfeit Authority issued the guidance on Thursday, June 11, one day after officers raided Shiquo wa Hii Style's shop in Nairobi's Central Business District. The operation on Tuesday, June 9, resulted in the confiscation of goods worth millions of shillings, which are now preserved pending the outcome of investigations.
In its statement, the Authority clarified that the enforcement targeted counterfeit products and not legitimate businesses. It welcomed Shiquo's expressed desire to create an original brand and advised her to register trademarks and designs through the Kenya Industrial Property Institute to protect her work.
The Authority noted that Kenya's intellectual property system supports innovators and entrepreneurs. It added that goods will be returned if investigations confirm they do not infringe existing rights.