Vestments are special garments worn by Bishops. They bear objects and are worn depending on the event, service, or occasion. The idea of vestments was got from the Church of England. They include the miter (headgear), white robes, and the cope among others.
Mr. Sadiiki Adams, the Church of Uganda (COU) Communications Officer, took us through why protecting the Bishops' Vestments matters under the Intellectual Property laws;
Church of Uganda, through The Provincial Secretary Rev. Canon William Ongeng, issued a Public Notice on Monday, July 15, 2024, in wide circulation, notifying the general public of the registered trademarks for 42 Bishops’ vestments with the Uganda Registrations Services Bureau (URSB).
These vestments are protected under the Intellectual Property Laws of Uganda. The main goal of the Church of Uganda is to ensure that its ministers’ clothing remains consistent and respected, much like uniforms in other important areas of life.
Consider the army: soldiers wear specific uniforms that show their service ranks and stations, such as Special Forces Command and the Air Force division. This aids the general public to differentiate servicemen in the armed forces which helps maintain order and respect within the ranks and the army uniform.
Similarly, football teams wear distinct jerseys to identify themselves on the field, symbolizing unity and team spirit, and only those who are part of the team wear them.
In the same way, Bishops’ Vestments are more than just clothing. They are symbols of authority and responsibility donned by our Bishops.
By registering the vestments as trademarks for the Church of Uganda, the Church ensures that only our Bishops wear them, preserving their special meaning and significance.
I have read some claims on different social media pages, suggesting that trademarks are only for commercial purposes. This is not true. While trademarks are commonly used in business to protect brands and products, they also serve to safeguard important symbols and identities in various sectors, including religion.
Our trademarking of Bishops’ vestments is not about making money. It is about protecting the sanctity and authenticity of our religious symbols, much like how a ministry might protect its official emblems and uniforms to ensure they are not misused or misrepresented.
Trademarks protect these vestments under Uganda’s Intellectual Property Laws, specificallyunder the Trademarks Act Cap. 225.
This means that anyone who wears or uses these vestments without permission from the Church of Uganda is an infringement of its registered trademarks and is punishable under the law.
Church of Uganda is serious about this and will take legal action against anyone who infringes on its trademark rights. This is not just about following the law; it is about respecting our traditions and the sacred symbols of our faith.
This decision has generated various opinions but it’s important to understand that the main aim of the Church of Uganda is to ensure that these vestments remain a true representation of the spiritual roles they signify and their sanctity is not abused by anybody.
These vestments have long been traditionally reserved for Anglican Bishops, symbolizing their unique spiritual authority and pastoral duties within the Church.
The Church of Uganda’s decision to trademark these garments focuses solely on those that are publicly recognized and historically associated with the role of a Bishop of Church of Uganda.
This ensures that their sacred significance is preserved and respected, maintaining the historical and theological continuity of our Church’s practices.
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