FMCG — India Design Cases
32 decisions indexed
Page 1 of 2 · 32 total
Smt. B.K. Annapurnamma, Sri B.N.K. Sarathi, Smt. B.S. Nagarathna, and Sri B.S. Sapthagiri (Partners of M/s. Sarathi Perfumery Works) v.M/S. Mahendra Perfumery Works
The plaintiffs, partners of M/s. Sarathi Perfumery Works, filed a suit seeking permanent injunction against M/S. Mahendra Perfumery Works for infringing their registered design (No. 203040) of a display box. The court found that the copyright subsisting in the design had expired in 2016, rendering the cause of action infructuous.
Pramit Sanghavi v.Energy Beverages Private Limited
The Delhi High Court addressed an application seeking an ad-interim ex-parte injunction in a suit concerning design infringement. The plaintiff, Pramit Sanghavi (representing market leaders in packaged natural mineral water), alleged that the defendant was imitating their registered bottle designs (Nos. 281573 and 311139) for their product "NU". After considering the prima facie case, irreparable harm, and balance of convenience, the Court granted an interim injunction to protect the plaintiffs' intellectual property rights.
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.
Britannia Industries Ltd v.ITC Ltd
This case involves a dispute over the validity of a registered design used on 'Good Day' Biscuits labels. The defendant, ITC Ltd, sought summary judgment arguing that the design was not registrable under Section 19(1)(d) and Section 4(b) of the Designs Act, citing prior public disclosure. Britannia Industries Ltd countered this by seeking to place additional documents on record, which they claimed would correct an error in their user claim date. The court adjourned the matter to determine the admissibility of these crucial documents.
Ttk Prestige Ltd. v.Gupta Light House
Ttk Prestige Ltd. filed a suit alleging that Gupta Light House infringed its registered cooker design (Registration No. 197906). The court found the plaintiff's design valid and maintainable, rejecting the defendant's claims regarding lack of novelty or prior publication. However, the court ruled against granting permanent injunction or delivery up of goods because the design had expired on September 13, 2019. Ultimately, the suit was decreed in favor of Ttk Prestige Ltd., directing the defendant to render accounts of earnings and awarding costs.
Bhama Enterprises India Pvt. Ltd. v.Praveen S/o. Shri Gokulchand Murarka
Bhama Enterprises challenged an order granting a temporary injunction to Praveen (M/s. Modware India) regarding the alleged infringement of their 'Kool Kruizer' bottle design by the defendant's 'Cool Crazy' product. The core dispute centered on whether trademark protection in Class 32 could cover the physical shape, or if the defendant's valid registration under the Designs Act provided superior rights. The High Court ultimately allowed the appeal, setting aside the injunction and dismissing the plaintiff's application.
RB Health (Us) Llc v.Dabur India Limited
RB Health (US) LLC filed an application seeking an interim injunction against Dabur India Limited, alleging infringement of their registered soap bar design (No. 271671) and the tort of passing off through similar trade dress and taglines. The plaintiffs sought to prevent Dabur from manufacturing or selling a competing soap bar under the brand 'SANITIZE'. However, the Delhi High Court ultimately dismissed the application for an injunction, noting that such cases heavily depend on specific facts rather than merely analogical precedents.
Frito-Lay North America, Inc. v.Balaji Wafers Pvt. Ltd.
Frito-Lay North America, Inc. filed a commercial IP suit alleging that Balaji Wafers Pvt. Ltd. was infringing on its registered designs for snack food products. The core dispute centered on whether the Defendant's product, 'Rumbles', utilized an identical or substantially similar design to Frito-Lay's protected ridge design. The court examined the prima facie case and balance of convenience before granting interim relief.
M/s.Vaibhav Foods v.Narendra Kumar Mali / M/s.FOOD INDIA
M/s. Vaibhav Foods filed a suit against Narendra Kumar Mali and M/s. FOOD INDIA alleging infringement and passing off related to their unique chocolate packaging design. The Plaintiff demonstrated that they had successfully registered two designs (Nos. 274667 and 274668) for the specific arrangement and color combination of chocolates. The court found that the defendants were manufacturing and selling chocolates using a similar and identical design, leading to confusion in the market.
Dart Industries Inc v.Vijay Kumar Bansal
Dart Industries Inc. filed a suit against several defendants alleging infringement of their registered design (casserole lid) and passing off related to their Tupperware products. The court examined the scope of protection, noting that while the lid is independently registered, the plaintiffs claimed passing off for the entire casserole set. The court ultimately issued an interim order directing the defendants to furnish detailed sales particulars.
Skol Breweries Ltd. v.Som Distilleries And Breweries Ltd.
This appeal was filed by Skol Breweries Ltd. (now Sab Miller) seeking a temporary injunction against Som Distilleries And Breweries Ltd., alleging that the latter was using bottles bearing the appellant's registered design for their product, 'BLACK FORT.' The plaintiff claimed this constituted infringement and passing off of its beer, 'HAYWARDS 5000.' However, the High Court dismissed the appeal, finding no substance in the request for an injunction at that stage.
Dart Industries Inc & Anr v.Polyset Plastics Pvt Ltd & Ors
Dart Industries Inc filed a suit alleging infringement of its registered designs for bottles and caps. The plaintiff claimed that the defendant was selling products identical or obvious imitations of their protected designs, including the Aqua Safe bottle and Eco Flip Top bottle. The court examined the prima facie case, irreparable loss, and balance of convenience before deciding on the interim relief. Consequently, the court allowed the injunction application for the plaintiff while dismissing other related applications.
Dart Industries Inc & Anr v.Polyset Plastics Pvt Ltd & Ors
Dart Industries Inc filed a suit alleging infringement of its registered designs for bottles and caps (Aqua Safe and Eco Flip Top) against Polyset Plastics Pvt Ltd. The plaintiff demonstrated that their unique and popular product designs were being imitated by the defendant. The court examined the prima facie case, irreparable loss, and balance of convenience before deciding on interim relief.
M/s.V.V.V & Sons Edible Oils Limited. v.M/s.S.G.R. (777) Foods Pvt Ltd.
This Madras High Court judgment records a compromise in an infringement suit concerning the bottle design and label color scheme for gingelly oil. The parties agreed to settle the dispute amicably, leading the court to pass a compromise decree. Key terms included the first defendant voluntarily amending its label by enlarging the logo and altering other features, agreeing to destroy remaining unused labels within three months, and ceasing deceptive imitation of the plaintiff's product.
Cello Household Products v.Modware India
Cello Household Products filed suit against Modware India alleging design infringement and passing off regarding their PURO brand plastic water bottle. Cello claimed its unique, registered design was illicitly copied by Modware's product, KUDOZ. The court addressed the prima facie case for interim relief.
Laxmi Snacks Pvt Ltd v.Akshar Food Products
Laxmi Snacks Pvt Ltd challenged Akshar Food Products for allegedly copying its distinctive packaging design, getup, and style used for ready-to-eat Namkeen products like Ratlami Sev. The appellant claimed their unique visual identity, including color scheme and mascot, was infringed upon by the respondent's similar product presentation. While the court acknowledged the claims of infringement based on trade dress, it ultimately dismissed the appeals, directing the respondent to provide sales records for further scrutiny.
John Distilleries Limited v.Shashi Distilleries Pvt Ltd
John Distilleries Limited filed an appeal seeking a temporary injunction against Shashi Distilleries Pvt Ltd, alleging that the latter was manufacturing and selling liquor in bottles deceptively similar to the petitioner's registered bottle design (Design No. 214542). The High Court examined the matter and found that the petitioner had not established a prima facie case, leading to the dismissal of the appeal.
Britannia Industries Ltd v.The Deputy Controller Of Patents & Designs & Anr.
Britannia Industries Ltd appealed an order from the Deputy Controller of Patents and Designs regarding the cancellation of a registered biscuit packet design. The appellant argued that the design lacked novelty due to prior publication in magazines and a textbook, which the Deputy Controller failed to consider.
Britannia Industries Ltd v.The Deputy Controller Of Patents & Designs & Anr.
Britannia Industries Ltd appealed an order from the Deputy Controller of Patents and Designs regarding the cancellation of a registered biscuit packet design. The appellant argued that the design lacked novelty due to prior publication in magazines and a textbook, which the Deputy Controller failed to consider during the initial proceedings.
Reckitt Benckiser (India) Ltd v.Wyeth Limited
The dispute concerned an interim injunction sought by Reckitt Benckiser against Wyeth Limited for alleged infringement of their registered design for a 'perfect touch' spatula used with Veet hair removal cream. The court examined whether the design was novel, finding prima facie evidence that the design had been published abroad prior to its Indian registration date.
Reckitt Benckiser (India) Ltd v.Wyeth Limited
The suit concerned the infringement of Reckitt Benckiser's registered design for an S-shaped spatula used with its Veet hair removal cream. The defendant challenged the validity of this registration, arguing that the design was published abroad prior to the Indian filing date. The court found prima facie evidence that the design had been publicly available before 05.12.2003.
Dabur India Ltd. v.Amit Jain & Anr.
Dabur India Ltd. appealed the dismissal of its application seeking interim injunction against Amit Jain and others who were manufacturing and selling hair oil products in bottles and caps deceptively similar to Dabur's registered designs. The core dispute revolved around infringement of registered industrial designs for packaging, specifically concerning whether foreign registrations could be used to challenge the novelty of the Indian design.
Parle Products Private Limited v.Surya Food & Agro Limited
Parle Products Private Limited appealed a single judge's order that revoked its leave to sue against Surya Food & Agro Limited. Parle alleged that Surya was pirating its registered biscuit packet designs, which were protected under the Designs Act, 2000. The lower court had denied leave based on jurisdictional concerns and lack of proof of sales within its area. However, the Madras High Court set aside this order, holding that since the suit involved questions of difficulty and importance, these matters could not be decided merely in an application to revoke leave.
Parle Products Private Limited v.Surya Food And Agro Limited
Parle Products (plaintiff) claimed that Surya Food And Agro Limited (respondent) infringed its registered biscuit packet designs by marketing biscuits under the name PRIYA GOLD. The dispute centered on whether the plaintiff could establish a cause of action for infringement within the Madras High Court's jurisdiction, particularly regarding commercial sales in Chennai.
Dart Industries Inc. v.Techno Plast
Dart Industries Inc. filed a suit seeking permanent injunction against Techno Plast for allegedly copying its proprietary designs used in Tupperware products. The plaintiffs claimed rights under the Designs Act, 2000, and the Copyright Act, 1957, asserting that their globally recognized designs were infringed by the defendants' food-grade plastic storage containers. However, the court examined the prima facie case, noting serious questions regarding the validity of the registered designs. Consequently, the ex-parte injunction granted to the plaintiffs was vacated, though certain conditions were imposed on the defendants.
Hawkins Cookers Ltd. v.Zaverchand Liladhar Shah And Ors.
Hawkins Cookers Ltd. filed a petition seeking cancellation of a registered design (No. 164949) held by Respondent No. 1, claiming that their own prior innovation was copied. The court examined the registration certificate and found that it covered the entire Tava along with its handle, not just the innovative part. Ultimately, the court dismissed the petition, finding no case for infringement.
Glaxo Smithkline Consumer Healthcare v.Anchor Health And Beautycare Private
The plaintiffs sought an ad-interim injunction against the defendant for infringing their registered toothbrush design (No. 170554). The defendant argued that the design was not novel, was obvious imitation of existing designs, and that the plaintiffs had concealed material facts regarding prior litigation and earlier public domain designs to obtain the injunction.
Faber-Castell Aktiengesellschaft v.Pikpen (P.) Ltd.
The plaintiffs, who manufacture and market textmarkers under the 'Faber-Castell' brand with a registered distinctive design, filed a motion alleging that the defendant was breaching an existing injunction by continuing to sell deceptively similar products despite cosmetic alterations. The court examined the changes made by the defendant and accepted their undertaking to make further distinguishable changes.
Dhanavilas Madras Snuff Co. v.Vani Vilas Snuff Co.
This Madras High Court judgment addressed applications for interim injunctions concerning the alleged infringement and passing off related to snuff packaging designs (get-up and color scheme). The court found that neither party provided sufficient, valid documentary evidence to establish prior use or originality regarding the distinctive sachet design. Consequently, the applications seeking permanent injunctions were dismissed, though the respondent was directed to submit periodic accounts.
Meena Match Industries v.The Wimco Limited
This case involved a dispute over the validity of Design No. 146498, registered by Wimco Limited for their match boxes. Meena Match Industries challenged this registration, arguing that the pattern was neither new nor original and had been publicly known prior to Wimco's application date. The court examined evidence of pre-publication and found that the design lacked novelty. Consequently, the court ordered the cancellation of the registered design and dismissed Wimco's infringement suit.
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