Bench:S.J. Vazifdar
12 IP cases indexed. Covers trademark, patent, copyright matters.
Cases Presided Over
12 cases indexed | Page 1 of 1
Vov Cosmetics Private Limited v.Union of India
Vov Cosmetics Private Limited challenged an order directing it to change its corporate name due to perceived resemblance with another entity. The dispute centered on whether the similarity in names, particularly involving the 'VOV' mark used in cosmetics, mandated rectification under the Companies Act. The Bombay High Court quashed the impugned order, emphasizing that mere similarity is not sufficient grounds for mandatory rectification and directing a fresh hearing.
M/s.Siyaram Silk Mills Limited v.M/s.Shree Siyaram Fab Private Limited
The defendants filed a notice of motion seeking rejection of the plaintiff's plaint, arguing that since their mark was also registered, the suit for infringement was not maintainable. The court rejected this contention, holding that while sections like 29 and 30(2)(e) provide defenses to an infringement action, they do not bar the inherent jurisdiction of the Court to entertain the suit.
Sun Pharmaceuticals Industries Limited v.Emcure Pharmaceuticals Limited
The Bombay High Court addressed a suit concerning trademark infringement and passing off between Sun Pharmaceuticals (owner of 'SUSTEN') and Emcure Pharmaceuticals (owner of 'SUSTINEX'). Although the plaintiff was the prior user, the court ultimately found that 'SUSTINEX' was not deceptively similar to 'SUSTEN'. The judgment emphasized phonetic distinctiveness, noting a clear audible divide in 'SUSTINEX', leading to the dismissal of the plaintiff's notice of motion.
Music Broadcast Private Limited v.Indian Performing Right Society Limited
Music Broadcast Private Limited challenged the right of Indian Performing Right Society Limited (IPRS) to demand royalties for broadcasts made by the plaintiff at its FM radio stations. The plaintiff argued that it was legally bound only to pay PPL and acted under a mistaken belief of law when paying IPRS. The court ultimately ruled in favor of the plaintiff on the question of law.
Drums Food International Pvt. Ltd. v.Euro Ice Cream & Anr.
The Bombay High Court ruled against Drums Food International in a trademark dispute concerning the mark 'HOKEY POKEY'. The court held that even if a plaintiff starts using a mark after a defendant has filed an application for registration, the plaintiff cannot succeed in a passing off or infringement action. The judgment strongly affirmed the priority given to registered marks under the Trade Marks Act, emphasizing that registration provides a robust legal shield against subsequent users.
Siddhant Ice Creams Pvt. Ltd. v.M/s. Thanco Enterprises
The Bombay High Court rejected the defendants' attempt to set aside a prior injunction restraining them from infringing the plaintiffs' registered mark 'NATURAL' and passing off their goods. The court found that the application was not bona fide, noting that the defendants sought to rely on documents they could have easily accessed earlier. Consequently, the original order protecting the plaintiff's trademark and copyright was upheld and made effective immediately, with the defendants ordered to deposit proceeds from sales during the restricted period.
The Scotch Whisky Association v.Khoday India Limited
The Scotch Whisky Association filed a suit against Khoday India Limited alleging passing off, claiming that the defendant was misleadingly using labels and descriptions evocative of Scotland (like 'SCOT') for whisky manufactured in India. The defendant sought to dismiss the suit via Chamber Summons, arguing that the matter was concluded by a prior Supreme Court judgment concerning rectification proceedings, invoking issue estoppel. The High Court rejected this argument, holding that the previous judgment operated only as a precedent and not as res judicata.
Ravi Kamal Bali v.Kala Tech And Ors.
The Plaintiff sought an injunction against the Defendants for manufacturing and selling tamper-proof locks/seals that allegedly infringed his patents. The court examined the infringement claims, noting the similarity between the parties' products. However, the court ultimately denied the injunction due to the Plaintiff's significant delay in bringing the matter before the court.
Zee Entertainment Enterprises Ltd. v.Mr. Gajendra Singh And Ors.
Zee Entertainment Enterprises Ltd. filed a suit seeking perpetual injunction and damages against defendants for infringing its copyright in the television game show "Titan Antakshari" and passing off its competing show, "Antakshari - The Great Challenge," as associated with Zee's program. The court addressed the interim relief sought by the Plaintiff.
International Standards Certification (South Asia) Pvt. Ltd. v.International Standards Certifications Pty. Ltd.
This appeal before the Bombay High Court addressed a dispute over the use of the phrase 'International Standards Certifications.' The core issue was whether the Indian entity, Appellant No. 1 (a joint venture), was passing off its services as those provided by Respondent No. 1, an Australian company. The court upheld the lower court's order restraining the appellants from using the specific name and logo, finding that the reputation acquired did not automatically transfer to the original rights holder.
Pidilite Industries Ltd. v.S.M. Associates And Ors.
The Bombay High Court ruled in favor of Pidilite Industries Ltd., granting an injunction against the defendants for infringing its registered trademark 'M-Seal' and copyright. Despite the defense arguing that the assignment deed excluded the rights related to the stylized mark, the court found that the defendant was fully aware of the plaintiff's established rights. The judgment confirms the initial ad-interim order, restricting the infringement injunction to specific parts of the packaging.
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.
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.