SA RUGBY HALTS ESKORT’S SPRINGBOX CAMPAIGN

SA Rugby has managed to secure an interim court order against Eskort. The court order restrains Eskort from continuing its marketing campaign using the Springbok brand.

Earlier in September, Eskort erected a billboard at OR Tambo International Airport playing with the word ‘Springbox’ and wishing the Springboks well for the Rugby World Cup.

The idea behind the marketing campaign is to advertise the new cooler box launched by the frozen food manufacturer. The Springbox is made for carrying Eskort braai meat.

The billboard reads: “Go Springbox Love Eskort”. The green and gold used as part of the billboard is similar to the traditional green and gold colours worn by the national rugby team.

SA Rugby approached the Gauteng High Court to force Eskort to take down the billboard and remove all marketing material relating the campaign as it infringed on SARU’s intellectual property rights.

Riaan Oberholzer, SA Rugby CEO said in a statement:

“We can’t allow companies to flagrantly leverage their brand off the back of the Springboks brand when our real supporters in corporate South Africa, who enable us to put the Springbok rugby team on the field, are paying for the rights to use our intellectual property.”

Image credit: The Citizen