FMCG — India Copyright Cases
18 decisions indexed
Page 1 of 1 · 18 total
Marico Limited v.Minolta Natural Care
The Bombay High Court addressed an interim application in a commercial IP suit filed by Marico Limited against Minolta Natural Care. The court noted that the plaintiff had presented a strong prima facie case for infringement covering trademark, copyright, design, and artistic work based on rival products. While the defendant sought time to explore an amicable settlement, the court granted a short adjournment but made it clear that if no resolution is reached by the next date, the interim application will proceed to final hearing.
M/S Shree Hari Industries (Hari Oil Mill) v.Registrar of Copyrights and Anr
M/S Shree Hari Industries filed a suit against the Registrar of Copyrights alleging that respondents were selling mustard oil using an almost identical trade dress and packaging to the petitioner's product. The Delhi High Court addressed procedural matters, noting the emergence of evidence showing blatant copying by the respondents. While granting some time for the respondent to file necessary documentation, the court emphasized the seriousness of the infringement claim and fixed a firm date for the next hearing.
Hindustan Unilever Limited v.Balaji Soap Factory
Hindustan Unilever Limited filed a Commercial IP Suit against Balaji Soap Factory regarding the infringement of its artistic work, specifically the VIM label. The parties reached a settlement agreement before the court on February 1, 2024.
Hindustan Unilever Limited v.Pradeep Dhidaria
Hindustan Unilever Limited filed an Interim Application against Pradeep Dhidaria alleging that the latter had slavishly copied the original artistic work featured on the Plaintiff's product packaging. The court examined the resemblance, noting similarities in elements like the starburst and globe depiction used on the rival product's trademark 'MASTER'. Based on this prima facie finding of copying and subsisting copyright, the court continued the ex-parte ad-interim relief granted earlier.
Ashok Kumar Sethi Trading as M/s.Abhinav Export Corporation v.Amilal Ramkrishnan Dass
This suit addressed allegations of copyright infringement concerning the picture mark 'AMIN's' used on black henna products. The plaintiff sought permanent injunction against the defendant for using similar marks and designs. During the pendency of the litigation, both parties reached a comprehensive settlement agreement. The court subsequently decreed the suit based on this memorandum of compromise, allowing both parties to continue their respective branding practices without further legal conflict.
Shree Shyam Snacks Food Pvt. Ltd. v.Rajesh & Ors.
The Delhi High Court addressed an appeal filed by Shree Shyam Snacks Food Pvt. Ltd. challenging a lower court's refusal to grant an ad interim injunction. While noting the appellant's claims of prior use of its trademark and copyright registration on its packaging, the Court ultimately decided not to interdict proceedings at that stage. Instead, it directed the District Judge to expedite the hearing of the interlocutory application, ensuring the matter moves forward promptly.
M/s.Diabliss Consumers Products Pvt. Ltd. v.M/s.Dia Health Foods Pvt. Ltd.
Diabliss Consumers Products Pvt. Ltd. filed a civil suit against Dia Health Foods Pvt. Ltd. alleging copyright infringement regarding the artistic design used on its 'Diabliss Diabetic Friendly Sugar' pouches. The plaintiff demonstrated prior creation and use of the unique artistic design since 2015, which was subsequently copied by the defendant for their product, Diabeat. The Madras High Court found that the background, color, and overall get-up of the defendant's pouch were identically similar to the plaintiff's protected design.
M/S.M K Food Products v.M/S.S H Food Products
M/S.M K Food Products challenged the return of its plaint filed in the Commercial Court alleging copyright infringement concerning product packing design. The court held that since the suit sought permanent injunction against infringement, it inherently contemplated urgent relief. Therefore, the requirement to exhaust pre-institution mediation under Section 12(A)(1) of the Commercial Courts Act was found illegal and set aside.
State (Nct Of Delhi) v.Rajesh Nandwani
The State filed a Revision Petition challenging the Trial Court's order that discharged the respondents in a case concerning copyright violation (FIR No. 69/2009 PS EOW). The core dispute revolved around whether the registered artistic label/packing of the product was still protected by copyright, given its long-term commercial use and industrial manufacturing process.
M/S Ganesh Tea Centre v.The Registrar Of Copyrights & Ors
The Delhi High Court addressed a dispute concerning an impugned search certificate issued under the Copyrights Act, which was challenged by M/S Ganesh Tea Centre due to alleged prior rights in an identical mark. The court directed the Registrar to continue the underlying trademark proceedings while simultaneously staying the issuance of any registration certificate related to the disputed mark. This interim order protects the petitioner's interests pending a full determination of the conflicting IP claims.
Radhe Krishna Products - A Partnership Firm v.Parshottambhai Dharamshibhai Lunagriya
This petition challenged a trial court's order rejecting the petitioners' application under Order VII Rule 11 of the CPC, which argued that the respondent's second civil suit was not maintainable. The petitioners claimed that since the respondent had previously restricted their claims to copyright infringement after filing an initial suit alleging both copyright and passing off, they could not file a subsequent suit for similar relief. The High Court ultimately upheld the trial court's decision, finding no fault in the impugned order.
Miss.Kajal Aggarwal v.The Managing Director, M/s.V.V.D. & Sons P.Ltd.
The actress, Miss. Kajal Aggarwal (Appellant), filed an appeal against the refusal to grant interim injunction, alleging that the Respondent used her image and profile for promoting their hair oil and coconut oil products after the one-year endorsement agreement expired. The court ruled in favor of the appellant, holding that the right to use the actress's profile is limited by the contract duration, thus granting the injunction.
New Hariom Industries & Anr v.Dandi Salt P. Ltd.
New Hariom Industries challenged the registration of an FIR, alleging that the search warrants were improperly obtained against unknown individuals despite knowing the Petitioners' business presence. The Respondent, Dandi Salt P. Ltd., maintained that the goods were unidentified at a railway yard and that they held valid copyright over their unique packaging/label since 2000. The Delhi High Court dismissed the petition, holding that because the goods were lying unidentified, the search warrants were justified, and furthermore, evidence collected during an illegal search remains admissible in trial.
Dabur India Ltd. v.K.R. Industries
This Supreme Court judgment addressed a dispute concerning the alleged infringement of copyright in product packaging between Dabur India Ltd. and K.R. Industries. Dabur claimed that K.R.'s tooth powder packaging was an imitation of its copyrighted artistic work, which included specific color schemes and feature arrangements. The core legal challenge revolved around whether the Delhi High Court possessed territorial jurisdiction to hear this composite suit, given that the respondent was based in Andhra Pradesh.
Nitin Sethi And Anr. v.Frontier Biscuit Factory Pvt. Ltd.
This case involved a dispute over the use of the 'FRONTIER' mark, where the respondent filed a suit for permanent injunction alleging copyright and passing off infringement by the petitioners using 'OM FRONTIER'. The petitioners sought to implead the original author of the copyright under Section 61 of the Copyright Act. However, the Delhi High Court dismissed the petition, holding that the prima facie evidence provided by the respondent's certified copy from the Copyright Register established the respondent as the owner, thereby negating the need for the author's mandatory impleadment.
Frito-Lay India And Ors. v.Guru Prasad Enterprises
Frito-Lay India filed a suit against Guru Prasad Enterprises alleging that the defendant was copying its distinctive snack food packaging. The plaintiff claimed their original artistic work, used on products like 'Lehar' Namkeens, had been substantially reproduced by the defendant's 'Mannka' brand. The court examined the similarities in color scheme, design motifs, and overall arrangement of the packaging. Ultimately, the Delhi High Court granted a permanent injunction, finding that the defendant's actions constituted copyright infringement, passing off, and unfair competition.
Asian Paints (I) Ltd. v.Jaikishan Paints & Allied Products
Asian Paints filed a suit seeking an injunction against Jaikishan Paints for infringing its copyrighted label 'Utsav' with the impugned label 'Utkarsh'. The defendant challenged the court's territorial jurisdiction. The court ruled that since the plaintiff carries on business in Mumbai, it has jurisdiction to hear the copyright infringement case.
Andhra Coffee And Flour Mills v.Brooke Bond India Limited
The plaintiff filed a suit seeking perpetual injunction against the defendant for infringing its copyright in an artistic pouch design. The defendant subsequently applied to revoke the court's permission (leave) to institute the suit, arguing that no part of the cause of action arose within the High Court's jurisdiction and that the suit should have been filed in the District Court at Ongole.
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