LIPO pushes back against fraud claim by Too Easy founder, cites procedural lapses

Published: August 15, 2025

MONROVIA – The Liberia Intellectual Property Office (LIPO) has refuted allegations by “Too Easy” founder Abubakar Jalloh, who accused the agency of being “a straight-up fraud” and failing to protect his brand from counterfeits despite full registration.

In an August 14 Facebook post, Jalloh — who goes by the alias “Jac the Realest” — claimed that LIPO had never acted to protect his clothing line, even after he met all registration and payment requirements. “Imagine the number of fakes currently in the country,” he wrote.

But in a statement Thursday, LIPO said Jalloh’s accusations ignored key procedural facts. The agency disclosed that it first received a cease-and-desist letter related to the “Too Easy” brand on July 4, 2024, through the Gbaintor Law Firm. At the time, however, “Too Easy” was not yet a registered trademark under Jalloh’s name — a requirement under the 2016 Liberia Intellectual Property Act and the Revised Administrative Trademark Regulations before any enforcement action can be taken.

According to LIPO, Jalloh was advised to formally register the trademark before pursuing infringement claims. He applied and was granted a registration certificate on July 24, 2024, but the office says the certificate remains uncollected despite repeated notifications.

The agency stressed that trademark enforcement in Liberia is a legal process with defined steps: issuing a cease-and-desist letter, filing a formal complaint by the registered owner, presenting evidence of infringement, and undergoing investigation and administrative hearings. LIPO said it has yet to receive a formal complaint from Jalloh since the registration was granted, meaning no enforcement action could be initiated.

“Mr. Jalloh’s initial cease-and-desist letter, issued before his registration, does not satisfy legal requirements for enforcement,” the statement said.

In an apparent bid to bridge gaps between rights holders and the law, LIPO said it has launched a Creator/Innovator Legal Aid Desk to assist in navigating enforcement procedures. The office urged Jalloh to collect his certificate and seek guidance if he intends to pursue counterfeiters.

“LIPO remains committed to promoting and protecting intellectual property rights in Liberia,” the agency said, calling for continued engagement with creators to ensure their rights are “effectively safeguarded.”