The Federal First Instance Court, Arada Division 1st Crime Bench, has granted police an additional seven days to investigate a major trademark infringement case involving “Viva Soft” tissue products. During the court session on June 11, 2026, the judge extended the pre-trial detention of the suspect, Seid Mohammednur Omer, to allow law enforcement to finalize their ongoing inquiries.
The case stems from allegations that the suspect unlawfully replicated the packaging of “Viva Soft,” a trademark legally registered under “Pure Wood Pulp and Paper Packaging” PLC with the Ethiopian Intellectual Property Authority (EIPA). Authorities state the suspect has been covertly distributing substandard, counterfeit tissue products across Addis Ababa and various regional states since 2024.
According to the federal police investigation bureau, the illicit operation constitutes a complex economic crime. Investigators argued in court that the distribution of these counterfeit goods deliberately deceives consumers, distorts fair market competition, and causes significant losses to government tax revenues and the broader economy.
During the previous seven-day remand period, police successfully secured testimonies from four witnesses. However, the prosecution noted that crucial evidence is still pending from several state entities, including the EIPA, the Ethiopian Conformity Assessment Enterprise, the Ethiopian Public Health Institute, and regional revenue and trade bureaus.
In securing the extension, the police emphasized the need to collect expert testimonies and inspect counterfeit stockpiles held in regional warehouses. Opposing bail, they argued the suspect could tamper with the investigation or collaborate with unapprehended accomplices. The court ultimately approved a seven-day extension instead of the requested 14 days, adjourning the case until June 18, 2026, for a final investigative update.