On May 28, 2021, Nigerian fashion brand Ugo Monye Ltd accused the creators of Coming 2 America, produced by Paramount Pictures and Eddie Murphy Productions, of copying its registered Reale Design. The company claimed the design, featured in the Hollywood blockbuster released on March 5, 2021, infringed on its trademarked intellectual property, registered at Nigeria’s Patents and Designs Registry.
Reale Design’s Origin
Ugo Monye launched the Reale Collection in November 2017, gaining prominence when TV host Ebuka Obi-Uchendu wore it at Banky W and Adesua Etomi’s wedding. The design, sold across multiple countries, represents contemporary African men’s fashion. The company emphasized its protected status, highlighting its significance in Nigeria’s growing fashion industry, valued at $4.7 billion in 2020, per Oxford Business Group.
Claims of Infringement
Ugo Monye Ltd alleged that Eddie Murphy Productions commissioned Nigerian designers to create costumes for Coming 2 America, which replicated the Reale Design without authorization. The film, a sequel to the 1988 comedy, featured vibrant African-inspired costumes, with Ruth E. Carter as costume designer, per Academy Awards records. Ugo Monye’s statement did not specify which costumes infringed but condemned the unauthorized use as cultural appropriation.
Call for Action
The company vowed to pursue remedies for the infringement, urging a stand against “non-Africans profiting off African culture unauthorizedly.” Ugo Monye, in a 2020 interview, noted the challenges of scaling Nigeria’s fashion industry due to limited intellectual property enforcement, a concern echoed in this case. The accusation highlights ongoing debates about cultural representation in Hollywood, as seen in discussions around Black Panther’s costume sourcing, per global fashion forums.
Industry Context
Nigeria’s fashion industry, still in its “teenage stage,” per Ugo Monye’s 2020 interview, faces structural hurdles like high production costs and weak IP laws, per a previous artifact. The controversy aligns with broader African creative concerns, such as the 2020 Òlòtūré film exposing systemic issues, per an earlier artifact. Ugo Monye’s stand underscores the need for stronger IP protections to support Nigeria’s creative economy, contributing 2.3% to GDP in 2020.
Broader Implications
The dispute reflects global tensions over cultural appropriation, with African designers advocating for authentic representation, per fashion industry reports. Ugo Monye’s potential legal action could set a precedent for protecting African intellectual property in international markets, especially as Nigeria’s fashion exports reached $1.2 billion in 2020.
