Kampala, Uganda – Red Bull GmbH (Austria), the global energy drink giant,
has issued a formal "Cease and Desist" letter to Ugandan filmmaker Loukman
Ali, demanding the immediate removal of his latest short film, EMPTY (2025),
from all platforms (Digital and Social). The legal action stems from what the company describes as
an unauthorized and objectionable depiction of its trademarked product in the
film.
The letter, sent by Red Bull’s international legal team, accuses Loukman of
infringing on the company’s intellectual property rights and insists that he
take swift action. Specifically, Red Bull demands that Loukman remove the film
from circulation within 24 hours of receiving the notice, provide written
confirmation of compliance, and refrain from any future unauthorized use of
its trademarks. The company warned that failure to comply could lead to
further legal escalation, urging the filmmaker to treat the matter with
urgency and seriousness.
A cease and desist letter is a formal legal request intended to halt an activity believed to violate rights or laws, often serving as a precursor to court litigation if ignored.
Loukman, however, appears undeterred by the threat. In a bold response, the director took to social media to share the letter with his followers, accompanied by a defiant caption: “Can I sue someone for suing me?”, His actions suggest he has no intention of bowing to Red Bull’s demands. As of today—well beyond the 24-hour deadline—the short film EMPTY (2025) remains available online for public viewing. And the letter by the corporate giant has instead sparked more curiosity about the content of the film and the specific portrayal that prompted such a strong reaction from Red Bull.
For now, the film continues to circulate, but the
question remains: will Red Bull pursue legal action against the filmmaker for taking artistic license with its product, or will this remain a war
of words? We'll keep an eye out for the details and keep you posted.
