Supreme Court of India
63 cases · page 2 of 3
Showing 31–59Glaxo Smith Kline Plc v.Controller Of Patents & Designs
The dispute concerned the application for Exclusive Marketing Right (EMR) under the Patents Act. After the relevant chapter was repealed by amendment in 2005, the appellants challenged the High Court's decision which had allowed appeals based on the argument that no further consideration of EMR was possible post-amendment. The Supreme Court ruled that due to Section 6 of the General Clauses Act, the vested right to challenge earlier orders remained alive.
J.Mitra & Co. Pvt. Ltd. v.Asst. Controller of Patents & Desig. & Ors.
The Supreme Court addressed the confusion arising from the postponed commencement of the Patents (Amendment) Act, 2005. The dispute involved pending pre-grant opposition appeals filed by Span Diagnostics Limited challenging a rejection order by the Controller of Patents.
K. Narayanan And Anr. v.S. Murali
The Supreme Court dismissed the appeal, reaffirming that merely filing a trade mark application does not constitute a cause of action for a suit based on passing off. The judgment emphasized that an action for passing off requires established grounds demonstrating deception or injury to goodwill, which cannot be derived solely from a pending registration application filed by the alleged infringer. This ruling reinforces the legal requirement for concrete evidence of misrepresentation when seeking relief against passing off.
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.
All India Patent Officers Welfare Association v.Union Of India & Ors
The All India Patent Officers Welfare Association filed a petition alleging that the Controller General of Patents, Designs and Trademarks (CGPDTM) unlawfully provided access to sensitive, unpublished trademark and patent application data to a private multinational company. The petitioner argued this access lacked necessary checks and balances. The Delhi High Court accepted the petition and directed an investigation into the matter, setting a timeline for the respondents to file their reply.
Bharat Glass Tube Limited v.Gopal Glass Works Limited
The appeal challenged the Calcutta High Court's order which had set aside the Assistant Controller's cancellation of Design No.190336 registration. The respondent (Gopal Glass Works Limited) claimed exclusive rights over its industrial design applied to glass sheets, marketed as Diamond Square. The appellant argued that the design was not new or original due to prior publication abroad.
M/S. Shand Pipe Industries Ltd v.M/S. Hind Mosaic & Cement Works & Ors
The petitioner appealed against an interim relief granted by the Division Bench. The Supreme Court found that the Division Bench failed to analyze the relevant provisions of the Patents Act, specifically Sec. 13(4) read with Secs. 47 and 48, concerning the effect of a counter claim and patent registration. Consequently, the Supreme Court set aside the order and remanded the matter for fresh consideration.
Eastern Book Company & Ors. v.D.B. Modak & Anr.
Eastern Book Company, publisher of the 'Supreme Court Cases' (SCC), sued defendants for infringing its copyright. The appellants argued that their copy-edited version of Supreme Court judgments constituted an original literary work. The High Court initially ruled against them, but the Supreme Court partially allowed the appeals, granting additional relief to protect the unique editorial inputs and headnotes of SCC.
M/s. Dhodha House v.S.K. Maingi
The Supreme Court addressed two appeals concerning intellectual property rights. In one case (Dhodha House), the appeal regarding trademark and copyright infringement was dismissed. In another case (Patel Field Marshal), the court allowed the appeal, ruling on jurisdictional issues related to composite suits involving both trade mark and copyright.
Bhavanesh Mohanlal Amin And Anr. v.Nirma Chemicals Works And Anr.
The Supreme Court reviewed an appeal challenging a temporary injunction restraining the appellants from using the mark 'NIMA'. While initially vacating the interim relief, the SC ultimately modified the order, directing that the respondents could not initiate any action for use of 'NIMA' by the appellants without leave of the trial court until the suit is disposed of. The Court also directed the lower court to expedite the hearing and disposal of the long-pending trademark infringement case.
Milmet Oftho Industries & Ors. v.Allergan Inc.
The Supreme Court addressed a passing off dispute concerning the pharmaceutical mark 'OCUFLOX' between an Indian company and a multinational corporation. While acknowledging the global nature of medicine and the potential harm from confusion, the court emphasized that the ultimate test remains who was first in the market. The judgment directed the trial court to continue the injunction while expediting the suit for final determination based on evidence regarding prior use.
Satyam Infoway Ltd. v.Siffynet Solutions Pvt. Ltd.
This Supreme Court judgment addressed whether internet domain names are protected under trademark law. The court ruled that a domain name can function as a business identifier and is therefore subject to passing-off principles, provided it serves as an instrument of commercial enterprise. Finding that the respondent was attempting to capitalize on the appellant's established reputation ('Sify'), the Supreme Court allowed the appeal, setting aside the High Court's decision and affirming the injunction in favor of Satyam Infoway Ltd.
Exphar SA v.Eupharma Laboratories Ltd.
This Supreme Court judgment addressed a dispute concerning the trademark 'Maloxine' and its distinctive packaging design. The appellants, claiming ownership of the copyright and trademark, sued the respondents for passing off and copyright infringement related to the malaria medicine. A key legal challenge was whether the Delhi High Court had territorial jurisdiction over the matter. The court ultimately ruled that the receipt of a cease and desist notice within the jurisdiction was sufficient to invoke the court's authority.
Hardie Trading Ltd. v.Addisons Paint And Chemicals Ltd.
This Supreme Court judgment addressed complex issues surrounding the use and ownership of registered trademarks, 'Spartan' and 'Spartan Velox,' used for surface coatings. The court emphasized that a prior established user (Hardie) holds significant rights, particularly when subsequent attempts by another party (Addisons) to register similar marks lack clear evidence of bona fide intent or continuous use. Ultimately, the court allowed Hardie's appeals, reinforcing the strength of original trademark ownership and discouraging deceptive similarity.
Cadila Healthcare Limited v.Cadila Pharmaceuticals Limited
The dispute arose from a suit filed by Cadila Healthcare Limited against Cadila Pharmaceuticals Limited regarding the use of trade marks Falcigo and Falcitab for drugs treating cerebral malaria. The appellant claimed that the respondent's mark would cause passing off due to confusing similarity, especially since both were medicines of last resort.
M/S S.M. Dyechem Ltd. v.M/S Cadbury (India) Ltd.
The dispute centered on whether M/S Cadbury (India) Ltd.'s use of 'PICNIC' infringed upon M/S S.M. Dyechem Ltd.'s registered trade mark 'PIKNIK'. The petitioner sought an injunction, alleging phonetic and visual similarity. However, the Supreme Court ultimately dismissed the appeal, finding that the essential features of the marks were different when viewed as a whole, and there was no scope for deception among the ordinary customer.
M/S S.M. Dyechem Ltd. v.M/S Cadbury (India) Ltd.
The petitioner sought an injunction against the respondent for using the mark 'PICNIC', alleging infringement and passing off of their registered trade mark 'PIKNIK'. The Supreme Court examined the marks, finding that while there was phonetic similarity, the essential features (script and caricature) were different, and given the differences in products and the wary customer principle, there was no scope for deception or confusion.
Whirlpool Corporation v.Registrar Of Trade Marks, Mumbai & Ors.
Whirlpool Corporation challenged a show-cause notice issued by the Registrar of Trade Marks regarding the cancellation of its Trade Mark registration. The core dispute centered on whether the Registrar had jurisdiction to initiate such action when related legal proceedings, including rectification petitions and passing off suits, were pending before the Delhi High Court.
Whirlpool Corporation v.Registrar Of Trade Marks, Mumbai & Ors.
Whirlpool Corporation challenged a show-cause notice issued by the Registrar regarding the cancellation of its 'WHIRLPOOL' Trade Mark registration. The core dispute centered on whether the Registrar had jurisdiction to issue such a notice when related proceedings, including a passing-off suit and rectification petitions, were pending before the Delhi High Court. The Supreme Court ruled that due to the pendency of these matters in the High Court, the Registrar could not legally act as the 'Tribunal' under Section 56(4), allowing the appeal.
Manmohan Garg v.M/S Radha Krishna Narayan Das Through Its Partners
The respondent filed a suit alleging that the appellant was passing off his Bidis using a deceptively similar label to the plaintiff's registered trademark 'Khargosh Chhap'. The Supreme Court examined evidence regarding the priority of use and registration. It found that the plaintiff's trade mark was registered prior to the defendant's claim of prior use, thus dismissing the appeal.
Vishnudas Trading As Vishnudas v.The Vazir Sultan Tobaccoco. Ltd.
The dispute concerned the validity of Trade Mark registrations held by The Vazir Sultan Tobaccoco. Ltd. for 'Charminar' under Class 34 ('manufactured tobacco'). The appellant, Vishnu Das Trading as Vishnudas, sought registration for similar goods (quiwam and zarda) using the same mark. The Supreme Court upheld the rectification order that limited the respondent's trademark to cigarettes, ruling that specific articles can be registered within a class.
M/S Gujarat Pottling Co.Ltd. v.The Coca Cola Co.
The dispute involved trade rivalry and contractual issues between M/S Gujarat Pottling Co.Ltd. (GBC) and The Coca Cola Co., concerning the bottling and distribution rights for various soft drink brands like Thums Up and Limca. GBC was party to several agreements with Coca Cola, but it allegedly breached these terms by transferring shares without consent. The Supreme Court upheld an interim injunction granted in favor of Coca Cola.
Tata Press Limited v.Mahanagar Telephone-Nigam Limited & Ors.
The dispute concerned whether Tata Press Limited had the right to publish its 'Tata Press Yellow Pages' (a buyer's guide/advertisement compilation), which included details of traders and professionals, or if this publication violated the exclusive rights of Mahanagar Telephone-Nigam Limited under the Indian Telegraph Act, 1885. The Supreme Court held that a general advertisement compilation is distinct from a 'list of telephone subscribers,' allowing Tatas to continue publishing their guide.
M/S. Astra Pharmaceuticals (P) Ltd. v.Collector Of Central Excise, Chandigarh
The appeal challenged the classification of pharmacopoeial Dextrose injections as patent or proprietary medicines attracting central excise duty under Tariff Item 14E. The department argued that the use of a monogram ('AP ASTRA') established a connection between the manufacturer and the medicine. The Supreme Court ruled that since the mark only identified the manufacturer, it did not establish a proprietary relationship with the specific medicine.
M/S. Laxmi Video Theaters And Others v.State Of Haryana And Others
The appeal challenged whether video parlors operating in Haryana using VCRs to show pre-recorded cinematograph films were covered by the Cinematograph Act, 1952. The Supreme Court affirmed that since 'cinematograph' includes any apparatus for the representation of running pictures, the VCR falls within this definition.
Monsanto Company By Their Patent Agent, De Penning and Depen v.Coramandal Indag Products (P) Ltd.
Monsanto challenged Coramandal Indag Products for infringing its patents related to herbicide formulations containing 'Butachlor'. The respondent argued that the patents were liable to be revoked under various sections of the Patents Act, 1970. The Supreme Court ultimately held that Butachlor was publicly known and the process of emulsification was common knowledge, thus revoking the patent.
American Home Products Corporation v.Mac Laboratories Private Limited And Anr.
American Home Products Corporation (Appellant) sought to protect its registered trade mark 'Dristan'. Mac Laboratories Private Limited (Respondent) challenged the registration, leading to appeals regarding the validity and rectification of the trademark.
Gramophone Company Of India Ltd. v.Birendra Bahadur Pandey & Ors.
The appellant company suspected that pre-recorded cassettes being imported into India en route to Nepal were unauthorized reproductions of its copyrighted records. The High Court Division Bench held there was no 'importation' because the goods were destined for Nepal, but the Supreme Court ruled that 'import' includes transit across the country. Consequently, the judgment of the Division Bench was set aside.
Biswanath Prasad Radhey Shyam v.Hindustan Metal Industries
Hindustan Metal Industries obtained a patent for an improved method/device for manufacturing utensils. Biswanath Prasad Radhey Shyam challenged this patent, arguing it lacked novelty and inventive step. The Supreme Court ultimately held that the patented machine was merely a 'workshop improvement' based on old knowledge, rendering the patent invalid.
M/S. Sable Waghire & Co. & Others v.Union Of India & Others
The petitioners, owners of registered trademarks for 'Chhatrapati Shivaji Bidi', challenged the constitutional validity of the Emblems and Names (Prevention of Improper Use) Act, 1950. The government argued that the act was necessary to regulate the improper use of national emblems. The Supreme Court upheld the constitutionality of the Act and its provisions.
Facing a similar IP matter?
Arctic Invent is a specialist IP firm with deep litigation expertise across India, EU, US, and UK. Our team uses data-driven strategy to build stronger cases.