ENTERTAINMENT
Ratel Trademark Dispute: Why VDM Can Still Use ‘Ratel’ – Lawyer
Activist Martins Vincent “VeryDarkMan (VDM)” Otse, can still use “Ratel” for his activism movement despite being a routine tech product and mobile application launched by entrepreneur Linus “B-Lord” Ifejika, a legal practitioner, Rockson Igelige, has said.
B-Lord and VDM began feud began in October 2025 after the businessman advertised what he described as an “iPhone XR converted to an iPhone 17 Pro Max”, which was sold at a premium price.
VDM subsequently accused B-Lord of misleading Nigerians by allegedly selling refurbished phones at inflated prices. He described the practice as fraudulent and warned the public against patronising the businessman.
The controversy appeared to have subsided until Sunday, when B-Lord announced the launch of the “Ratel” app via his Instagram page.
According to him, the application enables users to purchase gift cards, PlayStation products and digital funds using naira or cryptocurrency, among other services.
The announcement sparked widespread reactions on social media, particularly among members of VDM’s Ratel group, which is known for its nationwide community service activities.
Pertinent issues
Many claimed that VDM could no longer use the “Ratel” name due to trademark issues.
However, speaking in an interview with PREMIUM TIMES, Mr Igelige dismissed the claims, stating that B-Lord’s trademark ownership does not legally restrict VDM’s use of the name.
He said: “B-Lord trademarking the word ratel and the whole reaction on social media that VeryDarkMan can no longer use that word ratel, which I beg to differ. You see, the trademark can still accommodate both VeryDarkMan and B-Lord. They are not in the same line of business. The trademark has about 40 classes, and VeryDarkMan won’t fall into entertainment, and B-Lord won’t fall into car products. So they are two different words. So the trademark can accommodate them.
“They are not in the same line of business. Contrary to what people are thinking, you understand? When I was trademarking R-M-D in an entertainment class, I saw it in another class, water production and all those. R-M-D, water production. But he was accepted under entertainment, you understand? So B-Lord can be in that class. VeryDarkMan can also be in an entertainment class. They are not in the same class.”
Trademark class
Mr Igelige further explained that B-Lord and VDM do not operate in the same line of business and, as such, neither party can prevent the other from using the trademark.
He added that B-Lord could only legally restrain VDM if both were operating within the same trademark class.
“In addition to what I was saying on classes of goods and services, courses of trademarks are classified into 45 classes. So, for example, now, if B-Lord trademarks the ratel under maybe class 3 or class 1, and what VeryDarkMan is doing is also in class 42. They have no business, so you cannot stop VeryDarkMan, and VeryDarkMan cannot stop him, you understand? The only way B-Lord can stop VeryDarkMan, if VeryDarkMan is in the same class with him, doing the same selling of cars, that is the only way, because of the registration.
“If at all, but I know, like what I said, trademark registration, until you get the certificate, you can’t say you have a trademark, until you have the certificate with you, because even till dying minute, when it will be secured, they can still challenge you, if misrepresentation of facts is established against you, you know? So, let them bring out the certificate, not just that they have trademarked it. An acknowledgement from a trademark office is not registration; most people do flat-out think it is, you know? So, they are not in the same line of business”, said Mr Igelige.
According to him, the jubilation and celebrations on social media reflect people commenting on the matter from an ignorant standpoint.
“So, we can have ratel in class 1, class 2, class 3, in the different classes. What the trademark forbids is having that ratel, the word ratel, two in the same classes, that is what trademark forbids.”
VDM reacts
However, reacting to the app’s launch, VDM said in a video posted on his Instagram page on Sunday that being “Ratel” was not about trademark ownership.
He insisted that actual ownership stems from authenticity rather than legal paperwork, adding that there can only be one Ratel.
“So, I just heard that somebody has trademarked the Ratel, and you know what you don’t know. There can only be one Ratel. Being the Ratel goes beyond trademark son, it’s part of you, it’s with you, it’s spiritual, physical, dominance, resilience, doggedness.
“In all of these, if you come for me, you’re the victim; if I come for you, you’re still the victim. Ratel movement,” said VDM.
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