Central Organization of Trade Unions (COTU) Secretary-General Francis Atwoli has applied for exclusive rights for the use of the viral exclamation Alaa!
So Atwoli through his application says that he intends to use the slogan on clothing, footwear, and headgear.
Atwoli added that the term has no English translation and thus it is uniquely and specifically attributed to him.
Alaa has no English translation. It is more of a slogan, chant or an exclamation specific and attributed publicly to myself
So Alaa! originated from an Interview where Francis was talking about the upcoming general elections on JKLive on citizen tv.
I told you Jeff, I don’t know who is going to be the President but I know who is not going to be the President, Alaa Alaa Alaa! he said
The term has since then been used all over the country. And some people even went ahead to monetize it by selling branded t-shirts.
As a result, Kenyans that may wish to oppose or challenge Atwoli’s application have until Dec 29th to do so.
According to KIPI a trademark is a sign which serves to distinguish goods of an industrial or a commercial enterprise or a group of such enterprises. The sign may consist of one or more distinctive works, letters, numbers, drawings or pictures, monograms, signatures, colors or a combination of colors.
So if Francis Atwoli, gets the trademark, then you will be required to seek permission or pay him before you Alaa! on anything, online or offline. Or anywhere.
What are your thoughts on this because Alaa!