Relaxo Footwears Limited v. Om Shiv Footwear Through Its Owner Partner Proprietor Mr. Sushil Bansal

In the crowded world of footwear, a brand's identity is more than just the shoe on a customer's foot—it's the entire experience, from the sole to the shoebox. When a competitor decides to replicate not only your product design but also the distinctive packaging that customers have come to recognize, the line between competition and outright copying is crossed. This is the story of how one of India's most recognized footwear companies drew that line in court and won an immediate halt to the imitation.

Relaxo Footwears Limited, a well-established name in the Indian footwear industry, had built a recognizable identity around its 'BAHAMAS' line of footwear. To protect this identity, the company had secured a registered design under Design No. 365606-001, covering the unique visual elements of the product. Beyond the shoe itself, Relaxo had also cultivated a distinctive trade dress and packaging style that customers associated with the brand. Enter Om Shiv Footwear, a smaller player operating through its owner, who allegedly began selling footwear that bore a striking resemblance to Relaxo's BAHAMAS design—right down to the packaging. Aggrieved by what it viewed as a clear case of design infringement and passing off, Relaxo approached the Delhi High Court seeking urgent relief.

Relaxo's case rested on a powerful visual argument: the defendant's product was not merely similar—it was strikingly so. The plaintiff pointed to the registered design covering the BAHAMAS footwear and argued that Om Shiv Footwear had copied the protected design elements. More critically, Relaxo contended that the defendant had gone beyond copying the shoe itself and had imitated the distinctive trade dress and packaging, creating a likelihood of confusion among consumers who might believe they were purchasing a genuine Relaxo product. The plaintiff emphasized the irreparable harm that such imitation could cause to its brand reputation and goodwill, urging the court to step in before further damage was done. The defendant, having been served notice for an ex parte hearing, was not in a position to immediately counter these claims, leaving Relaxo's prima facie case to stand on its own merits.

The Delhi High Court found that Relaxo had successfully made out a prima facie case of design infringement, passing off, and trade dress imitation. The court noted the striking similarities in both the product design and the distinctive packaging between the parties' offerings, treating this visual resemblance as a strong indicator of copying. Satisfied that the plaintiff had demonstrated both a valid cause of action and the likelihood of irreparable harm, the court granted an ex parte ad interim injunction in favor of Relaxo Footwears Limited. This order immediately restrained Om Shiv Footwear from further dealing in the infringing products, effectively halting the alleged imitation at the doorstep of the courtroom.

For founders and brand builders, this case underscores a critical lesson: protect not just what you make, but how you present it. A registered design covers the visual features of your product, but distinctive trade dress and packaging can be equally powerful tools in your IP arsenal. When a competitor copies both the product and its packaging, the visual evidence of 'striking resemblance' becomes your strongest weapon in securing urgent relief. Document your design registrations meticulously, preserve evidence of your distinctive packaging, and act swiftly—the courts are willing to step in immediately when the case for irreparable harm is clear.