Designer Ugo Monye sues Coming 2 America producers over copyright infringement

NIGERIAN designer, Ugo Monye has threatened a lawsuit against Coming 2 America movie producers over alleged use of his registered design in the 2021 movie.

On his Instagram page, the designer claimed that his registered ‘Reale Design’ was reproduced in the comedy movie without the authorisation of his company. In his post, he stated clearly that the design had been registered at the Patents and Design Registry in Nigeria, what it comprises of and, countries the design has been sold to.

Part of the notice read, “It has come to our attention that our Registered Reale Design was reproduced and featured in the movie, ‘Coming 2 America’ (the “Movie”) without UML’s authorisation. The producers – Paramount Pictures, New Republic Productions, Eddie Murphy Productions and Misher Film Productions – through the costume designer of the movie, Ruth E. Carter, commissioned some tailors/designers in Nigeria to design and produce some costumes for the Movie that are an infringement of UML’s design.”

Coming 2 America premiered on March 4, 2021 starring Eddie Murphy. It was the sequel to the highly acclaimed 1998 movie.