M/S. Girnar Food & Beverages Pvt Ltd. v. The Registrar of Trade Marks and Ors.

In the fiercely competitive world of tea, a brand name is more than a label—it's a legacy. When two established players find themselves circling the same trademark, the courtroom can become a battlefield that drags on for years, consuming time, money, and energy. The dispute between Goodricke Group Limited and M/S. Girnar Food & Beverages Pvt Ltd. over the 'SUPER CUP' mark is a powerful reminder that even the most entrenched IP battles can end not with a bang, but with a handshake.

Goodricke Group Limited, a well-known name in the tea industry, found itself in a long-standing conflict with M/S. Girnar Food & Beverages Pvt Ltd. over the use of the 'SUPER CUP' trademark. What began as a contested claim escalated into a multi-layered legal saga, moving through the Delhi High Court, with appeals reaching the Intellectual Property Appellate Board (IPAB) and even the Supreme Court of India. The dispute centered on the rights to use the 'SUPER CUP' mark in connection with tea and allied products—a category where both companies had established commercial interests.

Across multiple rounds of litigation, Goodricke argued for its exclusive rights over the 'SUPER CUP' mark, opposing Girnar's use of a similar or identical name in the same product category. Girnar, on the other hand, defended its own commercial use and branding choices. The legal friction between the two parties played out across various judicial forums, with each side presenting its case on issues of trademark infringement, prior use, and the likelihood of consumer confusion. The dispute consumed significant judicial resources and tested the patience of both companies as the matter bounced between courts and appellate bodies.

On 6 November 2023, the Delhi High Court formally recorded the resolution of this protracted dispute. Rather than delivering a final ruling on infringement or validity, the court acknowledged that the parties had entered into a Co-Existence Agreement. Under the terms of this settlement, Girnar agreed to use the mark 'Girnar Super Cup' for its tea and other allied products, establishing a defined and distinguishable brand identity. In return, Goodricke withdrew its suit and opposition claims. The court dismissed both the appeal and the original suit as withdrawn, bringing the long-running legal battle to a definitive close.

For founders and IP professionals, this case illustrates a critical lesson: not every trademark war needs to end with a judicial verdict. When two businesses operate in the same market with overlapping marks, a well-drafted Co-Existence Agreement can offer a faster, more cost-effective, and commercially sensible resolution. By negotiating clear usage boundaries—such as mandating a distinctive prefix like 'Girnar Super Cup'—parties can protect their brand equity, avoid years of litigation, and refocus on what truly matters: growing their business.