Google Requests Dismissal of $150M Lawsuit Filed Against YouTube Shutdown by Nigerian
Google LLC, the technology giant, has filed a statement urging a Federal High Court in Abuja to dismiss a $150 million lawsuit filed against it and GoDaddy.com by a Nigerian citizen, Chianugo Peter. Google argues that Peter’s claims lack merit and should be dismissed entirely.
The lawsuit, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/238/2023, was filed by Peter on April 14. He accused GoDaddy.Com LLC and Google LLC, the first and second defendants respectively, of shutting down his YouTube Audio domain name after eight years of promotional and marketing efforts. Peter sought various declarations from the court and a total compensation of $150 million.
According to Peter, he registered the business name YouTube Audio, initiated trademark registration for its logo, and acquired the domain name YouTubeAudio.com in good faith from GoDaddy. He claimed that both GoDaddy and Google had encouraged him to use the domain name for the past eight years, and therefore, they should be estopped from infringing on his rights or denying him access to it.
In response, Google argued that Peter did not act in good faith when registering the YouTube Audio business name and domain name. The company stated that Peter approached Google, admitting its rights, before commencing operations. Google emphasized that Peter does not own the YOUTUBE trademark and has no legitimate claim to use or register any mark related to it.
Google further asserted that it is the international owner of the YOUTUBE word and YOUTUBE GO logo trademarks, both registered in Nigeria in 2007. The company has been using the YOUTUBE trademark since February 2005 worldwide, predating Peter’s use, which began in 2015.
During a recent court hearing, Google’s statement of defense was filed and served, while GoDaddy.Com LLC did not appear in court nor file any application. The plaintiff’s counsel requested an adjournment to respond to Google’s defense, which the court granted. The case is scheduled to continue on February 12.
It remains to be seen how the court will proceed with the matter and whether Peter’s claims will be upheld or dismissed. As the legal battle unfolds, stakeholders in the technology and intellectual property sectors will closely monitor the case’s progress and its potential implications for trademarks and domain names in Nigeria.
