Industry Sector

Other — India Design Cases

99 decisions indexed

Page 3 of 4 · 99 total

design plaintiff favorable · Apr 29, 2015

M/S.Devans Modern Breweries Ltd. v.Controller Of Patents And Designs And Ors.

Calcutta High Court · 178533282

The appellant challenged the refusal of design registration (Application No. 233798) by the Assistant Controller of Patents and Designs, Kolkata. The High Court found that the Assistant Controller overlooked previous judicial observations regarding consistent application of registration parameters and incorrectly assessed the originality of the bottle design.

design dismissed · Jan 22, 2015

M/s. Innovativ Dezines v.M/s. Wooltop Design Private Limited

Madras High Court · 92771463

M/s. Innovativ Dezines appealed a previous order and decree regarding a suit against M/s. Wooltop Design Private Limited. The appellant sought to set aside the earlier judgment. Ultimately, the senior counsel for the appellant agreed to withdraw the appeal with liberty to raise all pleas on merits in the written statement.

design interim order · Sep 22, 2014

V2 Corp & Anr. v.Innovative Techpack Limited

Delhi High Court · 7305553

The plaintiffs filed a suit seeking permanent injunction, damages, and delivery for infringement of their registered JAR designs. The defendant challenged an ex-parte interim order restraining it from manufacturing or selling products with identical or obvious imitations of the plaintiff's designs. The court modified the existing interim order to allow the defendant limited use of certain features while maintaining the rest of the injunction.

design defendant favorable · Sep 25, 2013

Urooj Ahmed v.Preethi Kitchen Appliances Private Limited

Madras High Court · 105248351

The appellant, Urooj Ahmed, filed an Original Side Appeal challenging the single judge's decision to dismiss an application seeking rejection of the plaint on grounds of lack of territorial jurisdiction. The suit involved claims of design infringement and passing off under the Designs Act, 2000. The High Court dismissed the appeal, upholding the lower court's order regarding maintainability.

design mixed · May 15, 2013

Mohan Lal Proprietor Of Mourya Industries v.Sona Paint & Hardwares

Delhi High Court · 188045559

This judgment addresses complex legal questions arising from two suits concerning intellectual property rights. Specifically, it examines whether a holder of a registered design can sue for infringement against another party who also holds a registered design. The court also deliberated on the interplay between statutory remedies under the Designs Act and common law actions like passing off, particularly when the design is used as a trademark.

design mixed · May 15, 2013

Micolube India Limited v.Rakesh Kumar Trading As Saurabh Industries & Ors.

Delhi High Court · 76636976

This judgment addresses complex questions regarding the interplay between statutory design rights and common law remedies like passing off. The court ruled that a suit for infringement of a registered design is not maintainable against another registered proprietor if the registration covers the same features. Furthermore, while the remedy of passing off cannot be joined with the design infringement suit concerning the shape itself, it remains available in alternative to prevent consumer confusion arising from trade dress or trademarks.

design mixed · Mar 15, 2013

Reckitt Benkiser India Ltd v.Wyeth Ltd.

Delhi High Court · 3849421

This Delhi High Court judgment addresses complex issues surrounding design rights under the Designs Act, 2000. The court specifically examined whether a design registered in a Paris Convention country can serve as grounds for cancelling an Indian-registered design. A key focus was defining 'prior publication,' clarifying that mere existence of a design in a foreign public record is not automatically sufficient; it must possess complete clarity to be understood by the eye of the mind regarding its application to a specific article. The court directed further proceedings to determine the factual merits.

design interim order · Jun 2, 2011

Veeplast Houseware Private Ltd v.M/S Bonjour International & Anr

Delhi High Court · 1360425

The plaintiff, Veeplast Houseware Private Ltd, claimed that the defendant was infringing its registered design (Design No. 194990) used on water jugs sold under 'Nayasa'. The plaintiff sought an injunction and damages against the defendant, M/S Bonjour International & Anr, who contested the novelty of the design. The court found prima facie evidence of infringement and restrained the defendant from using the impugned design.

design defendant favorable · May 19, 2011

Anchor Health And Beauty Care Pvt. Ltd v.The Controller Of Patents And Designs & Another

Calcutta High Court · 394900

The appellant filed an appeal challenging the Controller's dismissal of its application to cancel several registered toothbrush designs. The appellant argued that these designs lacked novelty, were prior published, or were merely functional/trade variants. The High Court dismissed the appeal, finding that design 176343 was original and new based on its unique combination of shape, configuration, ribs, and etchings.

design plaintiff favorable · May 19, 2011

Anchor Health And Beauty Care Pvt. Ltd. v.The Controller Of Patents And Designs & Another

Calcutta High Court · 213010

The appellant challenged the Controller's decision to uphold the registration of several toothbrush designs, arguing they lacked novelty and were merely trade variants. The court found that certain registered designs were not original or new, particularly when compared to earlier published designs, leading to the setting aside of the Controller's order.

design plaintiff favorable · Apr 5, 2011

M/S. Nikhil Adhesives Ltd. v.The Assistant Controller Of Patents and Designs & Anr.

Calcutta High Court · 198519236

M/S. Nikhil Adhesives Ltd. appealed against an order by the Assistant Controller of Patents and Designs that allowed a cancellation application for their registered design. The core issue was whether the design, which was created while Mr. Saraswat (a director) was employed with the appellant company, could be considered prior publication when he later used it for his respondent company.

design plaintiff favorable · Apr 5, 2011

M/S. Nikhil Adhesives Ltd. v.The Assistant Controller Of Patents and Designs & Anr.

Calcutta High Court · 171587411

M/S. Nikhil Adhesives Ltd. appealed against an order by the Assistant Controller of Patents and Designs that allowed a cancellation application under Section 19 of the 2000 Act. The appellant argued that the design was created while its director, Mr. Saraswat, was employed with them, making the subsequent use by his new company improper.

design plaintiff favorable · Apr 5, 2011

M/S. Nikhil Adhesives Ltd. v.The Assistant Controller Of Patents and Designs & Anr.

Calcutta High Court · 62315954

M/S. Nikhil Adhesives Ltd appealed against an order by the Assistant Controller of Patents and Designs that allowed a cancellation application under Section 19 of the 2000 Act. The appellant argued that the design was created during the employment of Mr. Chandresh Santosh Kumar Saraswat, who later joined the respondent company. The High Court set aside the Controller's order, finding that the prior publication ground was not properly considered.

design interim order · Jan 6, 2011

M/S. Nikhil Adhesives Ltd. v.The Assistant Controller Of Patents And Designs & Anr.

Calcutta High Court · 124533764

M/S. Nikhil Adhesives Ltd. challenged the order dated 30th June, 2010, which cancelled their registered design citing prior publication. The court found prima facie grounds to warrant a stay of this cancellation order.

design interim order · Jan 6, 2011

M/S. Nikhil Adhesives Ltd. v.The Assistant Controller Of Patents And Designs & Anr.

Calcutta High Court · 108826315

M/S. Nikhil Adhesives Ltd. challenged the cancellation of its registered design by The Assistant Controller Of Patents And Designs & Anr., which was based on alleged prior publication. The High Court found the basis for this finding questionable and granted a stay on the impugned order.

design interim order · Jan 6, 2011

M/S. Nikhil Adhesives Ltd v.The Assistant Controller Of Patents And Designs & Anr.

Calcutta High Court · 154984391

M/S. Nikhil Adhesives Ltd challenged the order dated June 30, 2010, which sought to cancel a registered design due to alleged prior publication. The court found that the basis for this finding was questionable.

design plaintiff favorable · Dec 20, 2010

Jyoti Jiten Bhatt Trading as Personal Care Systems v.Controller Of Patents And Design & Ors.

Calcutta High Court · 190101069

The appellant challenged the cancellation of their registered design, which had been cancelled based on a finding of prior publication. The respondents argued that the design was not new or original as it existed in the public domain since 1990. The High Court allowed the appeal, holding that no evidence of prior publication regarding the pattern on the underside of the product was produced before the adjudicating Authority.

design plaintiff favorable · Dec 20, 2010

Jyoti Jiten Bhatt Trading As Personal Care Systems v.Controller Of Patents And Design & Ors.

Calcutta High Court · 70639373

The appellant challenged the cancellation order of their registered design (No. 191896) passed by the Assistant Controller. The core dispute revolved around whether prior publications invalidated the design's originality. The court found that the registered design was at variance with the evidence produced regarding prior publication, thus upholding its validity.

design mixed · Aug 25, 2009

G.M.Pens International Limited v.Ramesh Kumar Jain

Madras High Court · 1615458

G.M.Pens International Limited filed a suit seeking injunction against respondents for committing piracy of their registered design (No. 186574) concerning their '045 SMARTGRIP' pens, which were allegedly imitated by the defendants' 'BITCO FINGER' pens. The case reached the Madras High Court via Civil Revision Petitions challenging an order that allowed discovery and interrogatories to the petitioner. The High Court ultimately set aside this order, emphasizing that the trial judge must judiciously assess whether such tools are necessary and not merely a shortcut to prove the case.

design plaintiff favorable · Oct 4, 2006

Gopal Glass Works Ltd. v.Iag Company Ltd. And Ors.

Gujarat High Court · 506029

The petitioner sought an interim injunction against the respondents for infringing its registered design 'DIAMOND SQUARE' (No. 190336) and passing off its goods. After a complex legal history involving cancellation and restoration of the plaintiff's design, the court allowed the application partly against Defendant No. 2, restraining them from using the petitioner's design or imitation thereof.

design mixed · Sep 13, 2005

Metco Polymers Pvt. Limited v.Madhu Inflatables Pvt. Limited

Madras High Court · 1670382

This appeal before the Madras High Court addressed a dispute over registered designs for inflatable products like Air Water Beds. The plaintiffs sought permanent and interim injunctions against the respondents, alleging infringement of their design rights. However, the respondents argued that they had been manufacturing similar products prior to the registration date, invoking defenses related to prior publication under the Designs Act. The court clarified the scope of Section 22(3), holding that cancellation grounds are available at the interim stage, but ultimately directed the respondents to maintain accounts for potential future damages.

design dismissed · Jul 24, 2000

Symphony Comforts Systems Ltd. v.Pradip Nandlal Dhoot

Gujarat High Court · 211185

Symphony Comforts Systems Ltd. filed a petition seeking cancellation of a design (Registration No. 174601) held by Pradip Nandlal Dhoot, alleging lack of novelty and prior use. The respondent challenged the petitioner's jurisdiction, arguing that since the infringement suit was filed in Hyderabad, the Andhra Pradesh High Court had jurisdiction, or alternatively, Calcutta High Court due to the registration location.

design remanded · Dec 10, 1999

Metro Plastic Industries (Regd) v.M/S. Galaxy Footwear New Delhi

Delhi High Court · 1313213

The Full Bench addressed the legal question of whether a registered design owner can obtain an injunction for infringement when a concurrent application challenging the validity of that registration under Section 51-A is pending. The court reviewed various precedents, noting conflicting views on the matter.

design interim order · Jul 20, 1999

Hello Mineral Water Pvt. Ltd. v.Thermoking California Pure

Delhi High Court · 1562223

The petitioner claimed that the respondent was infringing their registered design for water coolers. The defendant argued that the design lacked novelty as it was prevalent globally and that damages would be a sufficient remedy, thus opposing the injunction. The court allowed the use of the cylindrical shape but imposed strict conditions on the defendant to prevent consumer confusion.

design defendant favorable · May 6, 1999

Baldev Singh v.M/S Godran Rubber Plastic Industries

Delhi High Court · 326241

This case involved a suit for infringement under the Designs Act, 1911, where the plaintiff sought perpetual injunctions against the defendant for pirating their registered footwear design. The core legal dispute revolved around whether the plaintiff had a valid right to protection when evidence suggested that a prior entity (Liberty Footwear Company) possessed an identical or similar design registration dating back earlier than the plaintiff's. The court ultimately ruled that one 'pirator cannot injunct another pirator,' leading to the vacation of the interim injunction granted to the plaintiff.

design dismissed · Sep 18, 1998

M/S. Kemp & Company v.M/S. Prima Plastics Ltd.

Bombay High Court · 841052

The plaintiffs, manufacturers of plastic toys and chairs, filed a suit alleging infringement of their registered design for a Baby chair with a human face and passing off by the defendants. The plaintiffs sought a temporary injunction restraining the defendants from manufacturing or selling similar products.

design mixed · Jul 1, 1998

Metro Plastic Industries (Regd.) v.M/S. Galaxy Footwear

Delhi High Court · 1639733

Metro Plastic Industries filed a suit against M/S. Galaxy Footwear seeking permanent injunction for infringement of its registered footwear design 'Scandal' (No. 169611) and action in passing off. The plaintiff claimed exclusive rights over the distinctive shape and pattern of the product. However, the court noted that the design was prior published by a sister concern of the plaintiff, raising serious doubts about its originality and novelty.

design plaintiff favorable · May 24, 1994

National Trading Co. v.Monica Chawla

Delhi High Court · 9258

The petitioner filed a petition seeking the cancellation of Design No-163216 registered in Monica Chawla's name. The petitioner claimed that the design for 'Baby Bouncer' was already published prior to its registration date. The court found that the respondent admitted using and propounding the design since 1987, which predated the 1991 registration.

design plaintiff favorable · Jan 28, 1993

Monika Chawla v.National Trading Company

Delhi High Court · 261094

Monika Chawla, as sole proprietor of Kiddie Kraft, filed a suit for permanent injunction against National Trading Company for passing off and pirating her design of baby bouncer. The defendant challenged the existing interim injunction by claiming prior use and superior rights through assignment/registration.

design plaintiff favorable · Sep 17, 1990

Stup Consultants Ltd. v.Central Board Of Direct Taxes And Others

Bombay High Court · 584111

Stup Consultants Ltd. challenged the Central Board of Direct Taxes' refusal to approve agreements under Section 80-O of the Income-tax Act, 1961. The Board had rejected these applications by citing Section 80HHB(5), arguing that the agreements involved supply of designs for construction projects. The Bombay High Court ruled that the CBDT must examine the application strictly based on the criteria of Section 80-O (i.e., income from patent/design use outside India in convertible foreign exchange) and should not automatically disqualify it under Section 80HHB, thereby vitiating the Board's previous orders.

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