South Africa’s Supreme Court of Appeal ruled against FirstRand Limited in a trademark dispute spanning nearly a decade. The court rejected arguments that the First Abu Dhabi Bank (FAB) brand would confuse customers familiar with the FNB trademark.
The ruling enables FAB, the largest bank in the United Arab Emirates, to apply for a South African banking license. This decision removes the final legal barrier to the bank’s planned market entry.
FirstRand must pay all legal costs associated with the long-running litigation.